Did you know…
The M/V Tustumena was built at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1964. Unfortunately, the Tustemena's original design proved to be prone to significant rolling in the Gulf of Alaska. So in 1969, it was sent to the shipyard in San Francisco and lengthened by 56 feet which significantly reduced its propensity to roll in rough water. (And why locals gave it the nickname “Trusty Tusty”). The vessel is now 296 feet long, with capacity for 36 vehicles, and operates at a service speed of 13.5 knots. It can carry 174 passengers, and has 8 four-berth, and 17 two-berth cabins. Passenger services include a dining room, cocktail lounge, solarium, and forward observation lounge.
The large black structure on the aft portion of the vessel is a car elevator. This is crucial for the "Trusty Tusty" because the loading elevator allows vehicles and cargo to be offloaded at any dock without a loading ramp, which is necessary for many of the communities it services.
Because of the exposed and volatile Alaskan waters it plies, the Tustumena is an accredited ocean-going vessel, a quality it shares exclusively with the M/V Kennicott.
(Click small pics to see larger)
Date 8/22/08
Anchorage Temperature
Low 49 °F, High 62°F
Daylight 15 hrs 7 mins
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Life in Alaska
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| The M/V Tustemena (pictured above in False Pass) was my home for 3 and a half days in late July as I traveled from Homer to Dutch Harbor. It was my first time on the Aleutian Chain and I was nervous because I had heard horror stories of the unpredictable seas. There were two days of beautiful blue sky and one and a half days of rain and fog. The “Trusty Tusty” traveled along the Alaska Marine Highway and made stops in 8 towns. I camped out in the solarium on the top deck and was treated to endless views of beautiful ocean, … | ||||
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… majestic volcanoes, whales, puffins, and sea otters. On the last day, I awoke as we were pulling into Dutch Harbor (home port of the crab fleet featured on the Deadliest Catch TV show). The fog was so low that I could barely see above the street lamps: it was very eerie. I flew back to Anchorage that same day, but our plane was delayed a few hours due to the low fog. Many of my fellow passengers, mostly photographers and birders, returned to the ferry and sailed back to Homer. Personally, I was ready for solid ground. -- Kyla |
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| A foggy morning in Cold Bay, Alaska, and the longest dock I’ve ever seen! | ||||
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Alaska crab fishing is very dangerous and, in fact, the fatality rate among the fisherman is about 90 times that of the average worker. Play it safe and show your wild side with our Deadliest Catch hat and t-shirt. |
