Alcatraz tours resume Friday with funding donation, despite government shutdown

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The government shutdown has forced the closure of multiple tourist attractions across the Bay Area, except one. On Friday, Alcatraz resumed public tours and ferries to the rock, much to the delight and surprise of some visitors.

“We were already committed to coming down from Canada, so we rolled the dice hoping for the best,” said Gord Copithorne.

Gord Copithorne from Calgary is sharing family pictures of the tour they just got on Alcatraz, even in the middle of a government shutdown.

“We hoped we didn’t get another lap of the island, we’re appreciate it was open,” Copithorne added.

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Alcatraz landing is packed with visitors boarding ferries for the rock. SKY7 showed lots of people walking around the island on Friday. Alcatraz is operated by the National Park Service.

“We saw people out there working, they were all happy, pleasant and helpful,” said Copithorne.

Alcatraz tours are resuming, thanks to a monetary donation from the ferry operator.

“We work together with the National Park Service, we’re happy the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and Alcatraz Tours was able to make a donation to continue staffing the island,” said Antonette Sespene, Alcatraz City Cruises General Manager.

“We originally had tickets for yesterday, but it got canceled,” Malene Owera said.

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Tours to Alcatraz shutdown Wednesday and Thursday. Owera and her family were offered a cruise around Alcatraz but decided to wait.

“This morning we got a text and email saying it’s resuming today, we’re excited we’re a party of six, so everyone was bummed, so it’s great we are able to go,” Owera added.

This message posted on the Alcatraz website: ‘National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown, however some services may be limited or unavailable.’

But on Friday, it appeared nothing was closed or off limits on Alcatraz.

“All areas of the island are open, as normal, all programs available,” Suspene added.