Alaska offers 58-year-old ferry for free to the Philippines

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The state of Alaska is trying to dispose of a 58-year-old ferry, and even has offered to give it free to the government of the Philippines.

CoastAlaska reports Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered to give the Malaspina ferry away in a letter last month to the Philippines consul general in San Francisco. The state has estimated it would cost up to $45 million to overhaul the ferry. There has been no response from the Philippines.

The consul general says a diplomat will be in Juneau next month, but that’s only for normal outreach to Filipinos living in Alaska and not a ferry fact-finding mission.