MV Matanuska

The MV Matanuska arriving into Haines Alaska © Charles Baxter The forward lounge gives panoramic view out the front of the vessel © Alaska Marine Highway System The cafeteria offers a variety of fresh made and pre packaged options © Chris Arend / Alaska Marine Highway System Passengers can relax or even sleep in the covered and heated solarium © Brian Adams Photography The MV Matanuska tied up at Wrangell © Eric Lindberg © Alaska Marine Highway System

The MV Matanuska is named after the Matanuska Glacier, which is located in South Central Alaska and is the largest glacier in Alaska accessible by road, via the Glenn Highway. The vessel was designed by Phillip F. Spaulding and Associates of Seattle, Washington and constructed at the Puget Sound Bridge & Dry Dock in Seattle in 1963. The MV Matanuska was one of three sister ships that made up the original AMHS fleet. After fifteen years in operation, the ship underwent lengthening and renovation at the Willamette Iron and Steel Company in Portland, Oregon. Today the vessel is 408 feet long and 74 feet wide, with a domestic gross tonnage of 3,029 and a service speed of 16.5 knots.

An image displaying the layout of the Side View on the <em>MV Matanuska</em>

The MV Matanuska is designed to carry 450 passengers and has a vehicle capacity of 1,675 linear feet, which is equal to approximately 83 twenty-foot vehicles. There are 21 three-berth, 5 four-berth, and 79 two-berth cabins, as well as 1 wheelchair-accessible cabin. The vessel is also equipped with observation lounges, a heated solarium, a cafeteria-style restaurant, a movie lounge, showers, coin-operated lockers and a child's play area. Click on the image to start a slideshow of all deck plans on the MV Matanuska or view our Vessel Information Table for more statistical information.