The Tustumena provides service between Homer, Seldovia, Kodiak and Port Lions. With the Kennecott’s help, the Tustumena will increase its once-a-month weeklong round trips to Unalaska, with stops at the southwest Alaska communities of Chignik, Sand Point, King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass and Akutan.
“What we’ll have this summer is the Tustumena running out the chain every other week, splitting its time between Kodiak-Homer and the chain. The week when it’s out of pocket, the Kennecott will backfill,” Chambers said. Every other week, the Kennecott will make cross-gulf runs from Whittier to Southeast Alaska, continuing to Prince Rupert, British Columbia on alternating weeks.
“This gives a lot more service, especially out the chain, which is a very popular run,” said Pat Richardson, terminal manager in Homer, of the hundreds of photographers, birders and travelers from in and out of state that are able to visit the Aleutian Islands aboard the Tustumena.
“In the past, within the first four hours after we are open for summer reservations, the boat is sold out for the entire summer. This year has made a huge difference in availability.”
The Kennecott’s presence also has created a new Whittier-Kodiak-Homer link.
“It’s the first time we’ve offered that and it’s a really, really good service,” Richardson said.
The Alaska Marine Highway System began in 1963, with the M/V Malaspina providing service to residents of Southeast Alaska. The system now boasts an 11-ship fleet.
The M/V Tustumena was built in 1964 and renovated five years later. It is 296 feet long, can carry 36 vehicles and 210 passengers, and has eight four-berth and 18 two-berth cabins.
The 382-foot Kennecott began service in 1998. It has a capacity for 80 vehicles and 499 passengers, and has 48 four-berth cabins, 56 two-berth cabins.
“The Kennicott and the Tustumena are the only two Ocean Class vessels in the AMHS,” Chambers said. “They were built to meet Coast Guard specs for ocean-going vessels (stability, onboard equipment, hull specs and design, safety gear). All other ships are Coast Guard certified for lakes, bays and sounds.”
The Homer ferry terminal is open one hour prior to ship arrival and one after departure.
“On the days that we don’t have a ship in port, if it’s a weekday, we’re open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Richardson said.
Alaska Ferry Adventures office, across the street from the Homer Ferry Terminal, is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
“The experience we’ve had is that there is more demand than capacity on the Aleutian chain and Kodiak-Homer run with the Tusty, so we thought if we bring the Kennecott there, it could meet the demand,” said Mike Chambers, chief communications officer for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which includes the Alaska Marine Highway System.
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