Ferry Taku passenger service cancelled

M/V Taku reported a mechanical issue Monday morning and will go to Ketchikan for repairs. Photo courtesy of Alaska Marine Highway System.

The Alaska state ferry Taku that had a scheduled stop in Wrangell Monday is headed to Ketchikan for repairs.

The ferry was tied up in Petersburg Monday morning after reportedly having steering problems. Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeremy Woodrow says the ferry has a crack in a hydraulic ram that controls a rudder on the 49-year-old vessel.

The vessel had 109 passengers and 24 vehicles. The US Coast Guard was immediately notified. The Taku is scheduled to depart Petersburg at 1:15 Tuesday afternoon and will sail to Ketchikan for repairs. Passenger service has been cancelled.

Officials with the marine highway system are contacting affected passengers. A timeline for when repairs would be complete could not be confirmed.