Welcome to our travel information page! Here, you'll find all the juicy details about traveling with your favorite ferry. From dining tips to ferry policies, we've got you covered. But let's be real, who reads travel policies anyway? Just remember to wear pants on the ferry and don't bring your pet elephant on the passenger deck. Happy travels!
General Travel Policies
Here are the general policies for IFA. Safety, amenities, and accessibility policies can be found farther down the page.
Check-in times are established to ensure safe and efficient boarding and security screening. Non-Compliance with this policy may result in the loss of your reserved space. Resulting in denial of passage.
Vehicles & Passengers are required to be ticketed and available to board 1 hour before departure.
Walk-on passengers are required to be ticketed and available to board 30 minutes before sailing.
Those traveling with a vehicle from Ketchikan to Hollis are required to check in at the Ketchikan Terminal and be issued a lane assignment while picking up their tickets.
Sticky notes with lane assignments should be placed in the window of the vehicle.
A valid Government Issued picture ID is required for all passengers over the age of 18. The IFA does not require travelers to present a ‘Real ID.’
Approved IDs for travel include State ID/Drivers License, TWIC, Photo Tribal ID, School/University ID, Employee Photo ID, Merchant Mariner’s ID, Passport & Passport Card, and Armed Forces ID Card.
If you are traveling with a vehicle a valid state-issued drivers license is required.
Minors aged 16 & 17 traveling without an adult must present valid identification as well as travel with an Unaccompanied Minor Form. Please see Unaccompanied Minors for more information.
Passengers 12 years of age or older traveling without an adult must complete the Unaccompanied Minor Form found HERE. Passengers aged 16 & 17 must also present a Valid ID when traveling as an unaccompanied minor.
Please note that it is prohibited to transport explosives, highly flammable materials, and other corrosive substances on IFA vessels. If you have any concerns or inquiries regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact one of our agents at 866-308-4848.
You are allowed to bring up to 30 gallons of gas, or 55 gallons of diesel or bar oil, in addition to what is already in your vehicle’s tank.
You may bring a reasonable amount of helium, 10 gallons of propane, and 11 pounds of fireworks, provided the fireworks are still in their original packaging and are stored in your vehicle.
Passengers who walk onto the ferry can bring hand luggage, but it should not weigh more than 100 pounds per person. There are no weight restrictions for luggage being transported in a vehicle. For security purposes, only items that are being carried by a passenger are allowed. If any unaccompanied luggage is found, it will be confiscated. Passengers are responsible for the safety and handling of their luggage, including placing it on and off the IFA luggage carts. All luggage is subject to a security search.
Under Coast Guard regulation, access to the vehicle deck while underway is prohibited. Any passengers on the vehicle deck must be accompanied by a Uniformed IFA Employee.
Please be aware that marijuana is considered a federally illegal substance, and federal law takes precedence over state law when it comes to any type of vessel. Therefore, the IFA strictly prohibits the use of marijuana in any form while on board. Any passengers who are caught with marijuana or found to be under its influence will be denied access to the vessel.
Please note that the IFA reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the authorities.
We are pleased to offer transportation for your beloved pets, whether they have two, three, or four legs. However, please note that during the 3-hour voyage, pets must remain on the car deck. To ensure their safety, please secure your winged, scaled, or furry friends inside your vehicle or on a luggage cart with their pet carrier that you brought from home. Don’t forget to pack their favorite blanket and snacks.
If you are traveling with a Service Animal, please refer to our Service Animal Policy.
Please avoid reserving lounge seats only for yourself and not allowing other passengers to use them. Seating in the Galley is intended for dining purposes, please confine all food and drinks to this area. Thank you.
If you have forgotten any belongings on the vessel, baggage cart, or at the terminal, they will be sent to the Hollis Terminal. You can contact either terminal to arrange for the retrieval of your items. Please note that lost items will only be held for 30 days by the IFA.
Accessibility Policies for Those Needing Accommodations
The Inter-Island Ferry Authority strives to make its service safe, reliable and accessible for all passengers. The following guidelines can give you an idea of how we can better accommodate you before traveling with us. For accommodations and modifications, please contact the terminal of departure at 866-308-4848 at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Our terminal agents are dedicated to an efficient and accessible ticketing process. If you require accommodations for hearing or speech during the reservation process please contact the IFA by calling:
The IFA Terminals and restrooms are equipped with wheelchair accessibility. When you arrive at the terminal, kindly inform the agent of any pre-arranged accommodations you made when booking your reservation.
If you are an elderly or disabled passenger, you can find information about transportation services to and from IFA terminals at the terminals themselves, onboard the vessel, or in the IFA Craig office.
IFA vessels are built to meet all ADA requirements. Each ferry is equipped with an elevator to transport passengers to the main deck. On the main deck, all hallways, lounges, and the galley are wheelchair accessible. A restroom meeting all ADA requirements is also available.
Passengers are permitted to bring their private wheelchairs and other mobility devices (walkers, etc.) on board and may move about the main deck throughout the voyage. Passengers are advised that IFA ferries often travel in rough sea conditions and during these periods all passengers should remain seated for their maximum comfort and protection. Vessel crew members are available to assist the elderly and passengers with disabilities in whatever they can throughout the voyage, as time and safety allow.
Designated seating is available in the galley for passengers in wheelchairs that wish to eat during the voyage. Passengers using this seating are required to follow all vessel rules and regulations regarding galley seating.
IFA vessels are also equipped with a “Quiet Room”. The Quiet Room can accommodate two persons and is available for sick or injured passengers or passengers that may have a medical condition that requires the need of a quiet, private place during the voyage. Passengers must request the use of the quiet room prior to boarding the ferry and must be prepared to share the room with another passenger. All requests to use the Quiet Room during a voyage are approved on a first-come, space-available basis by the Captain.
Wheelchairs are Provided for passengers to use during, boarding, disembarking, and throughout the journey.
We also have designated seating in the Galley for passengers in wheelchairs who wish to dine during the voyage. All passengers using this seating are expected to follow all vessel rules and regulations regarding Galley seating.
To ensure that you can board the ferry, it is recommended to arrive at least an hour before departure if you need extra assistance. Once you reach your destination please be prepared to disembark after all vehicles are gone from the car deck (approximately 15 minutes after arrival).
Verbal announcements of safety procedures are given at the beginning of every voyage. Written safety procedures are posted throughout the IFA vessels. In the event of a safety drill or vessel emergency, elderly and passengers with disabilities may be required to muster in one location to facilitate adequate assistance.
Before every voyage, safety procedures are announced verbally. You can also find a copy of the safety briefing on board the vessel. During a drill or emergency, elderly passengers and passengers with disabilities may need to muster in one location to receive proper assistance.
Our IFA vessels are designed to meet all ADA requirements, ensuring accessibility for all passengers. Each ferry has an elevator to transport passengers to and from the main deck, which is fully wheelchair accessible.
There is also a bathroom located across from the elevator that meets all ADA requirements.
Passengers are welcome to bring their own wheelchairs and mobility devices on board and are free to move about the main deck during the voyage. However, we advise passengers that ferries may travel in rough seas and during these times it is recommended to remain seated for safety and comfort. Our vessel crew is always available to assist in moving about the vessel in any way possible.
For passengers who may have a medical condition that requires privacy or for those who are sick or injured, the Quiet Room is available on the ferry. It can accommodate two people and must be requested before boarding. Please note that you may be sharing the room with another passenger during the voyage. The Captain approves all requests on a first-come, first-serve basis.
At IFA, we understand that some passengers may require the assistance of a Service Animal during their travels. Therefore, we are pleased to inform you that we do not charge extra fees, isolate passengers with Service Animals, or treat them less favorably in any way.
However, we do ask that the Service Animal be on a leash or tethering system at all times, unless the handler’s disability prevents the use of a tethering device (prior notice is required). Additionally, it is the responsibility of the handler to care for and supervise the Service Animal throughout the journey. We kindly request that handlers ensure their animals do not soil furniture, carpeting, or any other surfaces, as the IFA may charge for damages caused, similarly if damage were caused by other passengers. For the safety of all passengers, we do ask that animals that may pose a threat to others be muzzled.
As a passenger with a Service Animal, it is important to note that it is ultimately up to the Captain to determine if your animal qualifies as a Service Animal. They will also be responsible for making any necessary arrangements to ensure your animal’s safe and comfortable passage while traveling with the IFA. To ensure a smooth experience, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the IFA terminal one hour before departure.
The full Policy of the IFA for Service Animals can be found here.
The IFA is dedicated to guaranteeing that individuals are not excluded from participating or denied benefits of its services based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, as outlined by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
Title VI Policy: The Inter-Island Ferry Authority is dedicated to guaranteeing that individuals are not excluded from participating or denied benefits of its services based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, as outlined by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
The IFA’s goal is to ensure that transportation services are of the utmost quality, regardless of one’s race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Additionally, they strive to identify and address any negative effects their programs may have on minority populations while promoting the full and fair participation of all affected populations in transportation decision-making. They also work to prevent the denial, reduction, or delay of benefits related to programs that benefit minority populations, and strive to provide meaningful access to programs and activities to those with limited English proficiency. Finally, the IFA ensures that its programs, policies, and activities have no disproportionately high and adverse effects on human health or the environment for minority and low-income populations.
The General Manager, senior management, supervisors, and all employees share the responsibility for carrying out the IFA’s commitment to Title VI.
Please contact Ron Curtis, General Manager, for more information including Title VI obligations and complaint procedures at [email protected] or 907-313-7589
A complaint may be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights Attn: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor – TCR 1200 New Jersey Ave. Se. Washington, DC 20590.
If you have any concerns or complaints regarding discrimination, disability policies, or services while aboard the vessel or at the terminal, the Captain is your point of contact for the vessel and the Terminal Manager is your point of contact for the terminals. The crew and terminal personnel will do their best to resolve the issue to your satisfaction. If immediate resolution is not possible, they will provide you with the necessary information to reach the Complaint Resolutions Office (CRO). The CRO will respond to your complaint within 10 calendar days, in person if possible. If you are still unsatisfied, the CRO will provide you with instructions for submitting a written complaint to the IFA.
Health, Safety & Security
At the IFA, our top priority is the safety of our passengers and crew. We strictly follow the safety regulations established by the U.S. Coast Guard.
To ensure your safety, we advise all passengers to familiarize themselves with the location of safety equipment and emergency exits. In case of an emergency, our crew will provide a brief explanation of the situation and guide you through the necessary steps.
To ensure safety and security, IFA adheres to a Security Plan approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Passengers who are 18 years of age or older are required to present a valid government-issued photo ID before boarding the vessel, and all vehicles are subject to a search. Additional security measures may be implemented if necessary.
The Coast Guard has a three-tiered system of Maritime Security (MARSEC) levels that align with the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) of the Department of Homeland Security.
These levels are designed to provide a clear and easily understandable response to increased threat levels.
The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard sets the MARSEC levels per the HSAS. Although the HSAS threat conditions and MARSEC levels are closely aligned, they may not directly correlate due to the unique nature of the maritime industry.
MARSEC levels reflect the current threat environment to the marine components of the national transportation system, including ports, vessels, facilities, critical assets, and infrastructure located on or adjacent to U.S. waters.
MARSEC Level I means the level for which minimum appropriate security measures shall be maintained at all times. MARSEC I generally applies when HSAS Threat Conditions Green, Blue, or Yellow are set. MARSEC Level II means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of a heightened risk of a transportation security incident. MARSEC II generally corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition Orange. MARSEC Level III means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a transportation security incident is probable, imminent, or has occurred, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target. MARSEC III generally corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition Red.
The Current U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security MARSEC Level is MARSEC I.
When entering the terminal or vehicle loading lanes, all individuals and vehicles may be searched. Unattended vehicles, as well as vehicles and baggage belonging to individuals displaying suspicious behavior, will be checked for incendiary devices, explosives, or other dangerous items before boarding.
However, government-owned vehicles are exempt from this rule if they are on official business and personnel can provide proper identification.
Additionally, all ship stores will be inspected for any signs of tampering before being loaded onto the vessel.
A random screening for hazardous substances and devices will be conducted on ticketed passengers, their luggage, personal belongings, and vehicles attempting to board the ship, as directed by the current MARSEC Directive. See MARSEC Levels for the current MARSEC level.
To ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers, smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas that are located away from doorways.
Amenities
Indulge in scrumptious breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream available for purchase at the “OUR T.E.A.M.” Café on either IFA vessel. The friendly staff will greet you warmly, and make sure to try their famous pies! Please be considerate of other passengers and avoid occupying Galley seating after your meal.
Passengers are advised there is no ship’s doctor. Medical services consist of first aid only. It is the passenger’s responsibility to notify the IFA of any special accommodations that may be needed in the event of a medical emergency.
While underway feel free to ask a uniformed crew member about our G-rated movie selections for your enjoyment!
Experience the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape from the enclosed solarium located on the M/V Stikine!
