ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM
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MV Columbia

The MV Columbia underway near Ketchikan Alaska © Peter Metcalf / Alaska Marine Highway System Passengers have some dining options on board or bring their own cooler with food © Chris Arend / Alaska Marine Highway System On the outer decks, passengers can lounge on chairs, pitch a tent and enjoy the company © Chris Arend / Alaska Marine Highway System Inside a 4 Berth Cabin with Sitting Area onboard the MV Columbia © Alaska Marine Highway System The MV Columbia tied up at Auke Bay in Juneau © Chris Arend / Alaska Marine Highway System The MV Columbia departs on another journey © Charles Baxter / Alaska Marine Highway System

The MV Columbia is named after the Columbia Glacier, a glacier in Prince William Sound. The vessel was designed by Phillip F. Spaulding and Associates of Seattle, Washington and constructed at Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in 1973. At the time, MV Columbia held the distinction of being the largest ferry to be built in Puget Sound at a cost of $20 million. MV Columbia is the largest vessel of the fleet, and until 2004 was also the fastest. The vessel is 418 feet long and 85 feet wide, with a domestic gross tonnage of 3,946 and a service speed of 17.3 knots.

An image displaying the side view layout on the <em>MV Columbia</em>

The MV Columbia is designed to carry 499 passengers and has a vehicle capacity of 2,660 linear feet, which is equal to approximately 133 twenty-foot vehicles. There are 45 four-berth and 56 two-berth cabins, as well as 3 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The MV Columbia is one of only two AMHS vessels with a dining room. Other amenities include observation lounges, a covered heated solarium, a cafeteria-style restaurant, a movie lounge, showers, coin-operated laundry and lockers. Click on the image to start a slideshow of all deck plans on the MV Columbia or view our Vessel Information Table for more statistical information.