State Dept. Gives Green Light for Philippines

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is not prevented by a federal agency from selling the Susitna ferry, a former Navy landing craft prototype, to the Philippine Red Cross. Mat-Su Borough Attorney Nicholas Spiropoulos informed the Assembly of the news this week after months of drawn out discussions with different federal agencies.

The State Dept. said the ship is not subject to U.S. Defense Department controls but is subject to an export provision under the Dept. of Commerce. The sale agreement will bear restrictions on the resale of the ship because the origination of goods is the U.S., Spiropoulos said.

For specifics on the sale of the ferry to the Philippine Red Cross read this press release.

Listen to Borough Manager Moosey and Attorney Spiropoulos in the audio file on this page.

Manager Moosey said the federal approval process to sell the ship to a foreign entity has been a long process. Moosey commended Attorney Spiropoulos for his work on seeking the approvals.

Moosey and Spiropoulos and Assembly Member Jim Sykes are in Washington, D.C., this week. Among their meetings, is one with the FTA, Federal Transit Administration, discussing specifics of the disposal of the vessel.

For more information email Patty Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.