78 Proceedings Fall 2025 Ferries are vital to Southeast Alaska, providing essential transportation links between remote communities, enabling residents to access goods, services, and opportunities. GRPimagery | iStock/Getty Images. hotels, dining, and recreation, to Alaska, creating jobs throughout the state. The ferry system connects mar- kets and customers, providing a way for the residents of smaller towns and villages to purchase items that their local stores don’t carry, boosting the economies of coastal communities. The marine highway also allows fishermen to afford- ably move seafood to markets and transport building materials and machinery to support community devel- opment. The ferry system transports cargo worth hun- dreds of millions of dollars, but it is more than a way to access necessities. It allows for social and cultural con- nections as well. Students, tribal members, and other Alaskans ride the ferry to participate in athletic and aca- demic competitions, cultural gatherings, college fairs, celebrations, festivals, and funerals. In a state as vast as Alaska, AMHS creates the opportunities—economic, social, and cultural—that nourish and sustain our coastal communities. The Coast Guard plays a crucial role in supporting the safety and security of the AMHS, although it is not involved in the system’s day-to-day operations. The Coast Guard is responsible for responding to maritime emergencies for AMHS vessels and conducting inspec- tions to ensure compliance with federal safety standards. This includes checking stability, lifesaving equipment, and firefighting infrastructure. The Coast Guard also maintains navigational aids in Alaska’s challenging waters, ensuring safe passage for ferries, and enforces environmental protection regulations to prevent pollu- tion from ferry operations. Additionally, the Coast Guard is involved in maritime security, monitoring for illegal activities and assisting with law enforcement through partnership activities like ferry ride-alongs, essential to fighting the Center for Disease Control’s reported 38.68% increase in Alaska for drug overdose-related deaths from 2023 to 2024. Collaborating with the Alaska Department of Transportation and local agencies, the Coast Guard provides critical support in emergencies and works to ensure the overall safety and compliance of the AMHS. Conclusion The ocean is central to Southeast Alaska’s economic and cultural identity with the region’s maritime economy accounting for nearly a quarter of direct regional wages. Subsequently, the maritime sector supports a diverse and
