The state ferry Tustumena was tied up in Homer for several days last week, lacking enough crew to operate.

Due to crew shortages, the Tustumena’s sailings were canceled as of July 26, and were scheduled to resume seven days later on Tuesday, according to an announcement from the Alaska Marine Highway System.

“A critical crew shortage required the vessel to stay in port for safety reasons,” the state reported July 28.

“We ran out of stewards,” Alaska Department of Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson said during a presentation to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce last week. “T...