Philippine Red Cross Owns Susitna Ferry

The Susitna Ferry will be sailing under a Philippine flag soon. Today the Philippine Red Cross took ownership of the innovative vessel for humanitarian work. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is now ferry free.

"The Philippine Red Cross now owns the ship," said John Moosey, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Manager, after signing final documents. "We wish them well in their efforts to save and improve lives in the Philippine Islands. With our State in tough financial constraints, it's crucial that local taxpayers see relief from the financial burden of the M/V Susitna. It's unbelievable the amount of paperwork, the number of agencies it takes to do something of this magnitude. I thank the Assembly for their troubleshooting follow-through. Our Borough Auditor James Wilson is the key to the success of selling a U.S. Navy prototype to a foreign entity. The unique vessel will be put to good use."

Read this week's earlier press release for more background and links to videos of the repair of the M/V Susitna.