The Alaska Marine Highway System has provided affordable transit for Alaska's people for decades. The public ferry is an essential part of Alaska's social fabric.
Ferries move cargo, groceries, entire households, local sports teams, medical supplies and patients – residents take the ferry for health care services in bigger cities. Ferry travel is statistically safer, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective for Alaskan families and businesses.
While locals say the ferry system is critical to commerce and infrastructure, Alaska's mounting budget deficit led to a proposal for a massive budget cut that could dramatically alter its services or lead to privatization. Imagine the disconcertion. These cuts would cripple the viability of these international waterways, and challenge Alaskans' ability to conduct their daily lives.
Friends of Alaska Marine Highway System was formed in response to this threat. This broad and powerful coalition of citizens and organizations from across Alaska comprises municipalities, community organizations, labor groups and other interested parties who care deeply about affordable transportation for Alaskans.
The objective of Friends of Alaska Marine Highway System was to bring one voice to the Alaskan communities toward restoring full service and funding to the Alaska Marine Highway System.
The website served as a central hub for communicating with the Alaskan public, fundraising, disseminating information to the press, and mobilizing supporters. The website was the primary way of sharing updates, news, and information about events. Thousands of signatures were collected for an online petition. And thousands more Alaskans used an online form to email their representative.
and online signature drive
to Alaskans about the progress of the campaign
After a one-and-a-half year campaign, the website had achieved its goal, and was retired.
City of cordova
City of gustavus
City of kodiak
City of sitka
City of skagway
