(JUNEAU, Alaska) –The M/V Tustumena is scheduled to resume service on Tuesday, Aug. 2, with an 11:45 a.m. sailing to Kodiak. The ship has remaineddocked at Homer, Alaska, since July 26 to rest the crew. Several staff memberswere unavailable due to illness and other qualifying needs. As a result of thecrewing shortage, food and beverage service on the Tustumena will also be suspended until further notice.

Insufficient numbers of replacement staff continue to present a challenge for the Tustumena. Staffing shortages have been a concern nationally and throughout the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).

Since early 2022, DOT&PF has embarked on an aggressive hiring campaign to recruit workers. In particular, shortages of Stewards and other entry-level positions continue to trouble AMHS. People interested in opportunities working for the marine highway are encouraged to check the AMHS hiring page at dot.alaska.gov/amhs/employment.shtml.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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