Site Logo

Latest Boating

The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

News

Two bodies from capsized fishing vessel found Monday amidst debris from boat on beach near Hoonah

Three people remain missing eight days after Sitka-based vessel sinks southwest of Juneau.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducts an on-scene search for five missing people after the fishing vessel Wind Walker was reported to have capsized near Courverden Point Sunday. The combined searches covered over 108 square nautical miles within a span of 24 hours. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Cmdr. Paul Johansen)

News

Coast Guard releases names of five people lost in fishing vessel sinking

Coast Guard District 17 headquarters said today that next of kin of the five persons missing in the…

The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

News

Coast Guard suspends search for five people aboard fishing boat that reportedly capsized near Juneau

Officials search more than 108 square nautical miles for Sitka-based boat in wintry conditions.

City harbor staff inspect a sunken vessel in Harris Harbor on July 11. An increase in fees for uninsured vessels is being proposed in part to pay the cost of salvaging and removing an increasing number of such vessels without insurance. (Juneau Harbors photo)

News

Higher payments for waterfront vendor permits, docking uninsured vessels get initial OK

Docks and Harbors Board also recommends changes involving delinquent payments.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.

News

Bills by Juneau legislator adding official Indigenous state languages, upgrading dock safety become law

Safety bill by Rep. Story also contains provision by Sen. Kiehl expanding disaster aid eligibility.

City and state leaders gather Monday at the gangway to Aurora Harbor for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the third of four stages of reconstruction of the 60-year-old harbor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Six years and one pandemic later, next stage of Aurora Harbor expansion is complete

New installations allow for longer vessels, provide utilities for final planned phase of project.

Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey offers an invocation during the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Reading of Names at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Loved ones gather for reading of 264 names on Fishermen’s Memorial and the Blessing of the Fleet

Six names to be engraved this summer join tribute to others at sea and in fishing industry who…

A security gate installed at Harris Harbor is scheduled to be locked from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily starting in early May, with access to boaters provided by key fobs or other means. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

News

Harris Harbor to be protected at night by electronic security gate starting in early May

Barrier is believed to be the first at a public dock in Alaska; boaters will access via key…

The Captain Cook, one of two tour boats formerly operated by Adventure Bound Alaska, in Aurora Harbor prior to a scheduled sealed-bid auction for vessels that has been extended until April 10. (City and Borough of Juneau)

News

Auction of Adventure Bound boats gets delay, big minimum bid increase due to liens

Two vessels from troubled tour company now selling for several times the original listed bids.

The Adventure Bound tour vessel, docked in Aurora Harbor, is one of two tour boats formerly operated by Adventure Bound Alaska being offered by the city in a sealed-bid auction scheduled next Wednesday. (City and Borough of Juneau)

News

Adventure Bound Alaska’s two tour boats being auctioned off by city due to company’s prolonged debt

Impounding and sealed-bid sale of large charter vessels “is a first for me,” harbormaster says.

A man died Sunday after falling off a fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove, located directly west of Auke Bay, according to the Alaska State Troopers. No foul play is suspected. (Map by the U.S. Forest Service)

News

Man dies after falling off fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove

No foul play suspected as 69-year-old Wisconsin passenger loses footing aboard vessel, officials say

A troller fishes in Sitka Sound on Feb. 2, 2021. A charter fishing vessel sank in the area Sunday, resulting in one person dead and four missing. The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search for the missing persons Monday night. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

News

1 dead, 4 missing after fishing charter boat sinks near Sitka

Coast Guard calls off search Monday night after company reports vessel overdue Sunday.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Sector Juneau rescued a pair of kayakers in distress near Spuhn Island on Saturday.

News

Coast Guard rescues two near Auke Bay over weekend

Their kayak had begun to take on water.

Soon-to-be instructors from the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, Xheighaa Warrior Veteran Canoe Journey, Coast Guard Sector Juneau, and the 17th Coast Guard District took part in a Kids Don’t Float training session being held at Dimond Park Aquatic Center in Juneau, Alaska, April 13, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

News

Training the trainers: Coast Guard holds boating safety instructor class

Every kid with safe boating habits might be a life saved in the future.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel participate in the rescue of a capsized kayaker near Don D. Statter Harbor on March 21, 2022. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

News

CCFR rescues kayaker near Auke Bay

The kayaker was in the water for more than 20 minutes, firefighters said.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly recently passed amendements linking all harbor fees to the consumer price index and raising the dockage fees, which applies primarily to large vessels reserving mooring at city piers, such as the Don D. Statter Harbor breakwater. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Amendment passes increasing dockage fee

Harbor fees are now linked to consumer price index.

Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Docks and harbors rigs for cruise season

It’ll be the first full season since 2019.

High winds in the early morning of Nov. 26, 2021 damaged two sections of float in Don D. Statter Harbor. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Statter Harbor float damaged by high winds

Variable geometry is a viable design decision for jets; less so for piers.

Divers work to right a vessel capsized by snow in Don D. Statter Harbor in 2020. The Coast Guard and city both recently issued reminders to prepare for winter weather in the coming months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

City, Coast Guard remind residents to ready for colder weather

The snow isn’t here yet, but it’s on the wind.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire With heavy rains predicted, City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors asked boat owners to check on their vessels. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch, which may be upgraded to a warning, in light of the expected weather.

News

National Weather Service, city warn of severe rain

The worst of the rain should be over by Friday afternoon, meteorologists say.