
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Marine Highway System announced Thursday that the M/V Tustumena will remain at the Vigor Ketchikan Shipyard longer than previously expected.
The Tustumena delay is due to the discovery and necessary repair of additional extensive steel wastage in the hull.
It is anticipated that the Tustumena will return to service departing Homer for Kodiak on May 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Originally scheduled to return to service in mid-April, the Tustumena delay impacts communities in Southwest Alaska and along the Aleutian chain.
AMHS staff is contacting affected passengers. For more information, please call your local terminal or the AMHS central reservations office at 907-465-3941 or toll free at 1-800-642-0066. An updated schedule for the vessel is available online at FerryAlaska.com.
The 55 year old Tustumena went in for a scheduled annual overhaul on Feb. 17. A repair plan developed in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard will ensure the vessel is safe before service is resumed.