Has anyone heard any updates on the MV Chenega (aka the 'fast' ferry) going into service?

I'm trying to re-arrange my plans a bit (the Aurora is going Whit to Valdez, on the day I thought I was going Valdez to Whittier).

Thanks!

The latest I know of from the ADN is that the new ferry won't be put into service this summer due to delays and sea trial requirements.
However, many people I know here in Alaska tell me the regular trip on the Aurora is very nice. So you might consider taking the trip anyway and having more time to enjoy it.

Thanks... that's my plan. Only issue is that the Aurora is doing Whittier to Valdez on the day that I want to go Valdez to Whittier. Going to have to re-align my schedule a bit.

Just found this:

M/V Chenega Sails for Prince William Sound
Fast Vehicle Ferry Enters Period of Crew, Route Training


(Juneau) – The state’s second fast vehicle ferry, M/V Chenega, sailed from Auke Bay this morning at about 10:40, en route to Prince William Sound, where it will serve the communities of Cordova, Valdez, and Whittier. The ferry is expected to enter revenue service on about August 26, following nearly a month of crew and route training.

“We are very pleased to finally have the Chenega under way,” said Captain John Falvey, General Manager of the Alaska Marine Highway System. “Labor issues have put it about two months behind schedule in going to Prince William Sound, but we now have the vessel on its way to Cordova, so we are looking forward to its arrival there.”

Falvey said the Chenega will overnight in Yakutat tonight, departing Wednesday morning to cross the Gulf of Alaska. Its arrival time into Cordova is estimated to be 9:00 Wednesday night.

“She has a crew of 14 on board, led by Captain Pete McMahon,” Falvey said. “After their arrival in Cordova, the crew will undergo 96 hours of training for the vessel, which should wrap-up by August 12. After that, the Chenega will have to make 12 non-revenue round-trips to each of the ports she will serve in Prince William Sound. We are targeting August 26 to have that completed, at which time we will welcome aboard our first passengers.”

Falvey said that, while the period during which the Chenega will actually be able to carry passengers in PWS will be relatively short before the vessel returns to Southeast in mid-September, the major benefit is in getting the training taken care of this summer. “When she returns to Cordova in May next year, we will not have to delay for route training at that time, and should be able to start carrying passengers right away,” he said.

The Chenega is an aluminum, catamaran hull vessel designed to carry 250 passengers and 35 average sized vehicles. It is 235 feet long, with a 60 ft. beam and an 8 ft. draft. It is powered by 4 MTU diesel engines, driving four Kamewa waterjets. Its service speed is 32 knots, with a top speed of 42 knots. The Chenega was constructed by Derektor Shipyards of Bridgeport, Connecticut at a cost of $38 million.

Just today (Aug 2) I called to pay our tickets on the Aurora. Enquired about the Chenega and was told it will probably be in service for only a couple of weeks this year,,,,end of Aug and into Sept perhaps, but they don't have a schedule yet. It's a Catamaran,(which to me sounds "bouncy",and goes twice as fast, but I am sure is lOvely. I am convinced the Aurora...though about 30 yrs old, is fine and it will be a nice trip Whittier to VAldez.
You MIGHT ask about Kennicot, which is 20 yrs. newer and goes from Valdez to Whittier (and visa versa but in the middle of the night...) It is larger and has cabins for those coming up the coast from further away...so there would be more people on it.