The preliminary summer ferry schedule is here and the public is encouraged to share their thoughts with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

The department will accept public comments on the proposed schedule for the Alaska Marine Highway System through Feb. 7.

According to a press release from DOT&PF, the proposed schedule is based on funding projections, and considers the state’s current fiscal state. Service demand and Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget also factored into the proposed schedule, according to the release.

The draft ferry schedule is for May 1 through Sept. 30. As it currently stands, it would have the M/V Tustumena on line and sailing the Southwest route, with one Aleutian chain trip per month, from May through September. The Tustumena would makes stops in Seldovia and Homer every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a Saturday stop in Homer as well. It would travel to Kodiak on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Additionally, the Tustumena would service Port Lions and Ouzinkie on Monday and Friday.

This schedule would be disrupted once a month while the Tustumena made its trip along the Aleutian chain.

To read the full schedule, visit alaska.gov/go/Z9GC.

In addition to comments about the schedule, DOT&PF is looking for details about specific scheduling needs surrounding large community events.

Written comments can be submitted on or before Feb. 7 — they can be emailed to dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov or faxed to 907-228-6874. DOT will also hold a teleconference at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 in order to hear additional comments from those affected by the Southcentral schedule. This is a call-in meeting only.

The toll free number to participate in both teleconferences is: 1-515-604-9000, access code 279613.

The Alaska Marine Highway System has 10 ferries that serve 35 communities in the state.

Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.