Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Tustumena

On June 26, 2022, the ferry 'Tustumena' made its way to the dock in Homer, Alaska, to allow its crew some much-needed rest. This decision comes in response to a significant crew shortage that has prompted the vessel's extended stay in port for safety considerations. As a result, all sailings between Homer and Kodiak have been suspended until July 30. Since July 16, the 'Tustumena' has been tirelessly serving the communities of southwest Alaska with a small but committed group of sailors. Unfortunately, due to a lack of available replacement staff, the ferry is unable to fill critical positions left vacant due to illness and other eligible reasons. Staffing issues have been on the rise not only locally but also across the Alaska Marine Highway System and the nation as a whole. In light of these challenges, the Department of Transportation has initiated an extensive hiring campaign since early 2022. They are actively seeking new crew members through various methods, including utilizing head hunters, attending job fairs across Alaska and Washington, and offering enticing $5,000 signing bonuses to attract prospective employees.

The beloved ferry 'Tustumena' is now set to resume service on July 15, following delays attributed to supply chain disruptions and vendor issues. As a result, the vessel will remain docked at the Seward JAG shipyard for an additional 15 days beyond its original schedule. During this period, the 'Kennicott' ferry will step in to handle the majority of sailings, accommodating passengers with existing reservations. The ongoing refurbishment includes significant upgrades: the installation of new passenger and vehicle elevators, extensive steelwork, superstructure coatings, enhancements to the bridge deck, and improvements to interior engineering systems. This comprehensive $9.4 million renovation project was awarded to the Seward shipyard on December 28, 2021. Initially, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities anticipated an earlier arrival for the ferry in the shipyard, but plans were adjusted after the first construction bid opening did not yield favorable results. Consequently, the ferry's operational hiatus will afford it an extension of 20 days of service in late November and early December 2022.

In a concerning development, six crew members aboard the ferry 'Tustumena' have tested positive for COVID-19 following the detection of another case on June 6. This incident marks the first COVID-19 outbreak among the vessels operated by the Alaska Marine Highway System. The outbreak occurred during the ferry's inaugural journey of the season from Homer to Dutch Harbor, which included multiple stops at various smaller ports. Notably, ferry operations from Washington state have yet to commence this season. After discovering the initial infection, the 'Tustumena' made an immediate return to Homer from Dutch Harbor on the evening of June 8, carrying six round-trip passengers and a total of 35 crew members, including the infected individual. The vessel safely arrived at around 8 p.m., where medical personnel from South Peninsula Hospital boarded to conduct testing for all on board. Testing confirmed that among the 40 individuals not previously tested in Dutch Harbor, the results were expedited, with passengers and 28 crew members testing negative for the virus. The seven crew members who tested positive are currently in isolation onboard the ferry and are receiving necessary medical assistance. The six passengers, along with some crew members who received negative results, have been permitted to leave the vessel, provided they can drive themselves home and adhere to a 14-day quarantine. Coordination with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology is ongoing to ensure health and safety protocols are stringently followed. Fortunately, no passengers or additional ferry employees are classified as close contacts of the infected crew members. To support ongoing operations while maintaining safety, some crew members who tested negative will remain on the 'Tustumena,' ensuring they are separated from those who tested positive. The ferry is anticipated to resume its service on June 27, following comprehensive sanitation measures. Passengers affected by the now-canceled sailings are being notified, and for any inquiries related to reservations, they can visit ferryalaska.com or contact the AMHS reservation call center at 907-465-3941 or toll-free at 800-642-0066.