The Harbor Department of the City and Borough of Sitka enforces harbor regulations in all five city harbors and other city facilities. By the mooring of any vessel within the harbor system, the owner or master of any vessel agrees to follow the rules and requirements described herein.
Contacting Sitka's Harbormaster: On duty seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Contact via VHF Channel 16. Harbor office is located adjacent to Thomsen Harbor at 617 Katlian Street. Phone (907) 747-3439 Fax (907) 747-6278. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Harbor personnel will advise transient vessels by radio of available transient moorage. Moorage will not be assigned until the transient vessel arrives in Sitka.
Registration required - Transient Vessels: All transient vessels are required to register with the Harbormaster within eight hours of entering the harbor system. At the time of registration, all vessel owners will be advised of available services and fees.
Temporary Stalls: The Harbor Department may assign a vessel a stall on a temporary basis, depending on availability. This is called "hot berthing." Owners of vessels granted temporary assignment must be ready to vacate if the permanent stall holder returns to the harbor.
Transient Services: Water, garbage and waste oil service are incorporated into transient fees.
Small Boat Electrical Service: The Harbormaster may temporarily allow a transient vessel to plug into an assigned meter. Where available, 30 amp, 120 volt, 60 hertz single-phase service may be supplied for service to boats for $7 per day. 208, 50 amp power user fees are determined by actual use plus $10 for the meter readings for longer than 4 days or $15.00 per day up to four days of 50 amp. 50 or 100 amp, 3 phase power fees are also determined as actual usage plus $10 for each reading. Utilizing assigned meters is a privilege and the Harbormaster frowns on meter use without permission. Violators will be issued citations for illegal use of a meter.
DESIGNATED NO WAKE ZONE STRICTLY ENFORCED. 3 miles per hour within the inner harbors and 5 miles per hour in the Channel between the rubble mound breakwater and the entrance to Crescent Harbor. See Sitka Harbors Diagram.
General:
ALL berths are assigned by the Harbormaster - no moorage except by permission.
To the extent allowed by safety considerations, harbor lights, all bright lights, including vessel deck lights will be directed away from the shoreline.
The use of crab lights (sodium, mercury, crab, flood, etc.) is prohibited within the harbors and between the breakwaters and O'Connell Bridge.
LOUD NOISE OF ANY TYPE will be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PETS shall be on a lead and under control of the owner at all times. Pets shall not be allowed to defecate on the docks.
NO RIDING OF BICYCLES, or similar device on any municipal float.
DUMPING OF TRASH OF ANY KIND INTO SITKA HARBORS PROHIBITED. This includes tidal or upland areas along the beach or waterfront. Vessel owners shall not leave spoiled bait, fish or gear on their vessels in the harbor.
GARBAGE: Dumpsters are available at all harbors for use by harbor patrons. Items too large for the dumpsters are to be taken to the Transfer Station on Jarvis Street. Items should not be left on the floats or fingers of any of the harbors.
Waste Oil: Disposal tanks are provided at all harbors. Please do not dispose of gasoline or solvents in these tanks. When dumping waste oil, please clean debris and old filters off the screen when finished.
CLEANING FISH. 13.10.140 Cleaning fish.
It is unlawful to:
A. Dispose of any fish, shellfish or other animal, or waste parts of fish, shellfish or other animal, into the Sitka harbor system waters, so as to not attract birds which could create a hazard with aircraft near the Rocky Gutierrez Airport.
B. To clean fish on any portion of a city and borough dock or float, except at designated fish cleaning stations. Waste bins are available at the harbor from June through September. Any waste outside of those dates shall be disposed of in a way not to attract vermin, birds, sea lions, bears, etc., in accordance with both Section 9.24.050 and Chapter 13.12.
(Ord. 14-07 § 4 (part), 2014.)
STORAGE PROHIBITED. It is unlawful for any person to use any harbor for storage, on any floats, docks or gangways.
GEAR/CARGO LOADING FLOAT. No vehicle parking unless other arrangements have been made with the harbormaster.
The time limit on the loading float is two (2) hours.
Vehicle access shall be for vessels tied to the gear/cargo loading float only, when there is actual loading between vessel and vehicle.
LOADING ZONES: There are several loading zones located throughout the harbors. They are easily identified by the white paint along the bullrails. Loading zones have a one-hour time limit. There are some 30 minute areas in Crescent Harbor. There is also a loading dock located in Crescent Harbor that is used by commercial fishermen to load and unload gear. The covered area adjacent to this dock is available for fishermen to mend their nets. This same area is also used at various times for art shows, food booths and other activities.
NO MOORAGE AREAS are identified by yellow paint along the bullrails.
WORK FLOATS. No OVERNIGHT moorage without permission of the Harbormaster. There are two work floats available for fishermen to use to actively work on their boats or gear. The work float located on the west side of the Sitka Channel across from ANB Harbor is equipped with electricity and potable water and is available year-round. The charges for this work float are as follows: From March 15-September 15; the first 24 hours will be free of charge for vessels on the waiting list or with a permanent stall. After 24 hours, the charges are as follows; Vessels 50 feet in length or shorter $0.80 per food, per day. Vessels 51 feet in length and above $1.00 per foot, per day. From September 16 - March 14, there are no additional fees.
The other float is available from April 15-September 15 and is located at the end of Float 4 at Crescent Harbor. No storage of any gear, nets or material is permitted without the Harbormaster's permission.
Tidal Grid: A steel and timber tidal-grid is available for use next to ANB Harbor along Katlian Street. Electricity, potable water and garbage services are provided. A small parking lot is located next to the grid for people using the facility. The grid is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vessels are limited to 96 hours (four days) on the grid. Larger vessels (over 58 gross tons) must notify the Harbormaster before using the grid. In some cases, a damage deposit must be posted and special precautions must be used, as directed by the Harbormaster. Please contact the Harbormaster prior to using the grid if there are question about your vessel. Grid fees are as follows; Vessels 50 feet in length or shorter $0.80 per food, per day. Vessels 51 feet in length and above $1.00 per foot, per day. These charges in addition to the permanent tenant quarterly moorage rates, or daily transient fees.
All vessels must provide a boat sitter if leaving their vessel unattended. Harbor Department staff will attempt to notify the logged boat sitter in the event of an emergency. A number where the owner can be reached should also be provided.
