Alaska Ends Ferry Service to Prince Rupert

   September 5, 2019 ,   Cruise Industry

The US state Alaska announced the termination of its passenger ferry service to and from Prince Rupert (BC Canada), effective October 1, 2019, citing an inability to comply with the USA's security requirements.

According to Alaska's transportation department, US Customs and Border Protection was requiring that the ferry system secured a Canadian law enforcement presence to protect Customs & Border Protection personnel while performing their duties in Port Prince Rupert. The department said it had been granted a waiver of the requirement through September 30.

The department spokeswoman, Meadow Bailey, said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had not the needed resources to help. Bailey added that if requirements changed, or Canadian law enforcement became available, the state could consider returning service to Prince Rupert.