s106300 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 We are currently in Anacortes, WA and will be through late May 2017. We are thinking of going to Alaska around then via the Bellingham, WA Ferry (Alaska Ferry terminal). We are 65 feet long and 13'-6" high. The Bellingham Alaska Ferry office tells us it is doable on their end but they were not sure about us getting off on the other end with having to decouple and getting a different tow option for the trailer (38'-11"). Has anyone with a 13-6 HDT and 65 long rig managed this before? Would appreciate any guidance you might have. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom& Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I just wonder if you ment the Bellingham WA ferry terminal which is the Alaska Ferry terminal, if so 65' is the limit. The Alaska Ferry people are very good at getting you on and off, if you are going in May you probably will be on the Columbia, which is the largest of the Alaska ferries. You will load straight in the stearn of the Ferry and off load out the side when you reach your destination in Southeastern Alaska. Just a side note, if you have a dog you will need a health certificate which is only good for 30 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s106300 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thanks for the catch - don't know how my brain substituted "Bremerton" for "Bellingham"; haven't been to Bremerton for about 40 years! So did you make the journey in an HDT set up? If so, how long were you and where did you get off? Did you have to decouple at the other end to get off? Thanks for the comment on the health certificate. We have 3 "rig" cats; if I am not mistaken you have to get a health certificate 30 days prior to crossing the Canadian border and then the Alaska requirement is one every 30 days (so we will be making several veterinarians richer.) No worries my kits are worth it and I am sure your "puppy" was too, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imurphy907 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 No health cert is required while you are in state. Just when transiting the ferry system or Canadian/US boarders. I cant help you with the unloading question as I don't know what port you are sailing too. If you land in Whittier going through the tunnel will be more fun than trying to get off the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry&Donna-AK Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Also, pets have stay in the auto cargo area and you can't. The pets can only be visited while the boat is docked and propane has to be turned off while on the boat. Our trip was Truck & Trailer, not HDT, but there were many BIG vehicles, Boats, and 5th Wheel trailers geeting on and off. We traveled from Skagway to Prince Rupert with a stopover in Juneau for a week. Great trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom& Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 We live in Sitka Alaska and have used the Alaska State Ferry quite often, don't take our 5er just the truck as we are 73' hooked up, over the years we have taken different trailer, boat, and truck combinations up to 60' on the ferry from both Bellingham WA and Prince Rupert BC and never have had a problem loading or off loading, never had to decouple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I believe the pet health certificate must be had before 30 days of travel but not EVERY 30 days. Also, if driving you need rabies certificate within 3 years. Check on each government site for the definite rulings. Things change........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom& Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 As I stated in my first post you will need a pet health certificate to travel ON the Alaska State Ferry only when entering the State of Alaska by Ferry, the port of Bellingham WA, Prince Rupert BC, Skagway Alaska and Haines Alaska the certificate must be used in it's 30 window, you only need a current up to 3 year rabbis certificate to travel into Canada or Alaska by road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s106300 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thanks for the info. We prefer to get off in Whittier. Question - is there electricity for the rig when in the cargo area so that the refrigerator can run or is it strictly off batteries? Is the cargo area extremely cold or reasonable for animals. For those who travelled with pets, my understanding is that you can get escorted access every 8 hours - is that not true? Those of you with dogs have to walk them I'm sure - cats could make do even with slides in - but I would definitely prefer some access at least twice a day. What is the issue with the Whittier tunnel - thought it would take semis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom& Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 If you are going all the way to Whittier you are going across the gulf of Alaska so you will have deck calls for your pets allowing for sea state. I have not tried to get power when underway. You will be taking the Alaska Ferry MV Kennecott an ocean going ferry, long trip, car deck is not heated, but will be fine for your pets. I have been threw the Whittier tunnels many times because I had a boat in Whittier when I lived in Anchorage, but that was on the train before they opened it to vehicle traffic, as I remember there are 2 tunnels a I worked in them repairing power cables and think they were 23' high, don't think you would have any trouble getting threw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry&Donna-AK Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 We asked if we could "plug-in" on the ship, "NO" was the answer. There is connectors for Refer Trailers with a specialize receptacles. Also, we haven't traveled the Whittier tunnel in a few years but when did only one tunnel was available for vehicles. One way road Odd hour & even hour depending on the direction. Also the Berths are reserved quickly otherwise you'll be sleeping on the deck or Bench, no sleeping in the RV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s106300 Posted January 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 Thanks all for responses. I am not sure anyone has actually said they went from Bellingham to one of the Alaska ports though - has anyone done it with a 65 foot rig? WITH an HDT vs traditional pick-up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom& Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 We took our HDT, which is 32', from our home in Sitka to Bellingham once,very expensive. We store our 5th wheel in Washington when we go home, usually travel threw Canada to Prince Rupert BC with our HDT to Sitka, 5 times so far no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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