Inter-Island Ferry Authority

The Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) is a community-owned public transportation system that links Prince of Wales Island with Ketchikan. Its ferries run on the Southern Route between Hollis and Ketchikan, a crossing of about three hours, and service began in 2002.[1]

Overview

The authority describes itself as a community-owned public transportation system. It runs daily service on the Southern Route between the terminals at Hollis and Ketchikan, with a crossing time of about three hours.[1]

Formation

Sources differ on when the authority was formed. The authority’s own site gives 1994, while a Wikipedia article gives 1997. Service began in 2002 with the M/V Prince of Wales. Wikipedia lists member communities Klawock, Craig, Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, Petersburg and Wrangell.[1][2]

Vessels

The M/V Stikine, added in 2006 as a sister vessel, is the primary vessel on the Southern Route, and it first served a Northern Route between Petersburg and Wrangell for three summer seasons. The M/V Prince of Wales provides backup service. The authority also covers the Metlakatla to Ketchikan route when the Alaska Marine Highway vessel Lituya is unavailable.[1]

Ridership

Wikipedia reports that in the first year of authority operation the route carried 54,906 passengers and 14,156 vehicles, compared with an average of 38,615 passengers and 10,644 vehicles a year in the last two years of the earlier Alaska Marine Highway service on the same route.[2]

FAQs

What does the IFA connect? Prince of Wales Island at Hollis and Ketchikan.

How long is the crossing? About three hours.

When did service start? 2002.

Sources

1. Inter-Island Ferry Authority: About IFA
2. Wikipedia: Inter-Island Ferry Authority

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue