TUSTUMENA

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Ferry sidelined to rest the crew

The 'Tustumena' has docked at Homer on June 26, 2022, to rest the crew for several days. A critical crew shortage required the vessel to stay in port for safety reasons. Sailings between Homer and Kodiak have been cancelled until July 30. The ship has been operating with a small but dedicated group of sailors in southwest Alaska since July 16. Due to insufficient numbers of replacement staff, the ship has not been able to backfill essential positions that are vacant due to illness or other qualifying needs. Staffing shortages have been a concern nationally and throughout the Alaska Marine Highway System. Since early 2022, The Department of Transportation has embarked on an aggressive hiring campaign to recruit workers. The department is employing head hunters, participating in job fairs across Alaska and Washington, and offering $5,000 signing bonuses to attract new crew members.

Supply chain issues delay return of ferry

The 'Tustumena' will return to service on July 15. Due to extensive refurbishments that have been slowed by supply chain issues and vendor delays, the vessel will be staying in the Seward JAG shipyard an additional 15 days. The 'Kennicott' will cover the majority of sailings on which passengers have reservations. Work being done on the 'Tustemena' includes upgrades and replacements to passenger and vehicle elevators, steelwork, superstructure coating, bridge deck upgrades, and interior engineering systems upgrades. The $9.4 million refurbishment was awarded to the Seward shipyard on Dec. 28, 2021. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities expected the ferry to enter the shipyard earlier, but shifted the schedule back after an initial unsuccessful construction bid opening. The shift means the ferry will add 20 days of service in late November and early December 2022.

Another six crew members tested positive for COVID-19

Another six crew members on the 'Tustumena' have tested positive for COVID-19 after a co-worker’s case was detected onboard on June 6. The cases make up the first coronavirus outbreak among the ferries operated by the Alaska Marine Highway System. The outbreak occurred on the ferry as it made its first run of the season from Homer to Dutch Harbor, stopping at a number of smaller ports along the way. Ferry trips from Washington state haven’t started yet this season. The 'Tustumena' turned back for Homer on in the evening from Dutch Harbor, with six round-trip passengers and 35 crew aboard, including the infected woman. It arrived around 8 p.m. on June 8. After the vessel docked, staff from South Peninsula Hospital boarded to conduct testing. The 40 people who weren’t tested in Dutch Harbor were tested and results shared with them within an hour. The six passengers and 28 crew members tested negative. The seven crew members who have tested positive will remain in isolation on the ferry. The positive crew members are getting help from medical professionals. The six passengers, and some crew who tested negative, left the vessel. They were allowed to return home if they could drive themselves and quarantine at home for 14 days. They will continue to coordinate with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology. No passengers or additional ferry employees are considered close contacts of the infected crew member. Some of the crew members with negative tests will stay on the 'Tustumena' to help support vessel operations. They will remain separated from the infected crew members. The 'Tustumena' is expected to resume service June 27. During that time, the vessel will be thoroughly sanitized. All passengers booked for now-canceled sailings were being notified. Anyone with questions about reservations can visit ferryalaska.com or contact the AMHS reservation call center at 907-465-3941 or toll-free at 800-642-0066.