Read Authentic Ratings for the Leconte

On December 31, 2022, at approximately 8 p.m., the crew of the ferry 'LeConte' and the Coast Guard in Juneau came together to rescue two individuals and a dog stranded on a disabled fishing vessel. The 38-foot boat, named 'Solstraal', was found in distress, prompting a rapid response. A dedicated boat crew was sent to the location while an urgent marine information broadcast alerted nearby vessels of the situation. The ferry 'LeConte' successfully located the 'Solstraal' and stayed on station until the Coast Guard arrived. Following a coordinated effort, the Coast Guard towed the disabled vessel approximately 25 nautical miles to Auke Bay, reaching Juneau's Statter Harbor around 2:30 a.m. on January 1, 2023.

In a surprising turn of events, the 'Leconte' ferry's scheduled departure from Juneau on the morning of August 11, 2021, was called off due to crew shortages. Just hours prior to embarkation, a chief steward and a dishwasher reported feeling unwell and exited the vessel, leaving the ferry — which typically operates with a 24-member crew — under-staffed. The captain promptly assessed the diminished manpower and made the critical decision to cancel the sailing to ensure the safety and emergency readiness of the crew and passengers. Notably, neither of the ailing crew members exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, thus testing was not deemed necessary.

On February 10, 2021, a tense situation unfolded aboard the ferry 'LeConte' in Juneau, Alaska, when a bomb threat prompted swift action from authorities. At 6:49 a.m., the captain of the ferry contacted U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders to report the alarming situation just before the vessel was set to depart. In response, U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement personnel promptly boarded the ferry to conduct a thorough security sweep, ultimately determining that there was no credible threat onboard. The alleged perpetrator, who had drove a vehicle onto the ferry and made the bomb threats, was apprehended by the Juneau Police Department (JPD). The suspect’s vehicle was also impounded without any complications. The Coast Guard collaborated closely with the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) and JPD to ensure the safety of passengers and promptly restore operations. Meanwhile, a safety perimeter extending 1,000 yards around the ferry terminal was established to keep boaters at a secure distance while officials completed their investigation. Fortunately, there were no additional threats reported, nor were there any injuries stemming from the incident.