Courtesy of Nancy Heise

Southwest residents will have to wait a little longer for the Tustumena ferry to make its return to the region.

The Tusty's first trips in May -- including a run down the Aleutian Chain -- have been canceled due to delays in shipyard.

The vessel was only supposed to undergo minor repairs in Ketchikan this winter. But Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeremy Woodrow says the aging ferry needed some extra help.

"The work that they're doing is focused on some hull structures in areas around the car deck," Woodrow says. "Not significant items, but they are items that need to be repaired before the vessel can be certified by the Coast Guard."

Coast Guard personnel will be checking in over the next few weeks to make sure the work meets their standards. Woodrow says the vessel should return to service by May 12.

In the meantime, the Alaska Marine Highway System will be contacting passengers to set up new reservations.