The only interruptions from this schedule occur when making a voyage out the Aleutian Chain (the Aleutian Chain run consists of the communities of Akutan, Chignik, Cold Bay, False Pass, King Cove, Sand Point, and Unalaska/Dutch Harbor) which the vessel undergoes eight times a year all of which occur during the summer as winter weather becomes too dangerous.

Because of the exposed and unstable parts of Alaska it plies, the Tustumena is an accredited ocean-going vessel, a quality it shares exclusively with the Kennicott.

Several found issues pushed her return from service from the original May 29th to a planned July 23rd, leaving the state without a ship available to do her run.

It was found that the steel on the car deck needed to be replaced entirely and the vessel was delayed from returning to service.

[8] During the course of that work being done, rusted and pitted steel was also discovered in the engine room,and those repairs caused the ferry to miss the bulk of the summer season.