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Senate Transportation advances two Dunleavy appointees to Board of Marine Pilots
Summary
The Senate Transportation Committee heard qualifications from Governor Dunleavy’s two nominees to the Board of Marine Pilots, Don Habiger and James Cunningham, received no public testimony, and by unanimous consent advanced both to a joint session for confirmation.
The Senate Transportation Committee on May 1 in Juneau advanced Governor Dunleavy’s two appointees to the Board of Marine Pilots after hearing statements from each nominee and brief questions from committee members.
Don Habiger, who said he lives in Juneau and has worked in the cruise and maritime industries for decades, told the committee he is being considered for one of the board’s public-member seats and that he is not currently engaged in pilot or ship-agency work, has no contractual ties to pilots or agencies, and has no direct financial interest in the occupation. “I confirm, to the Senate Transportation Committee that I'm not engaged in pilot issue, nor am I engaged in any ship agency work these days,” Habiger said.
The committee’s other nominee, James Cunningham of Homer, described a maritime career that includes graduation from a maritime academy, service on tankers and container ships, work as a master on vessels supplying Alaska ports, and qualification as a Valdez pilot in 2021. Cunningham said he became a deputy pilot in 2018 and has been actively piloting since then. He also discussed efforts to recruit younger pilots to address retirements and staffing needs in the industry.
The committee opened public testimony and heard none. After brief committee discussion and the arrival of a quorum, Senator Tobin moved to advance both nominees to a future joint session of the Legislature for confirmation, citing compliance with state statute. With no objections, the committee advanced Don Habiger and James Cunningham to the joint session by unanimous consent. The committee chair reminded members that signing the committee report does not indicate how they will vote during the joint floor session.
Why it matters: The Board of Marine Pilots is statutorily composed of pilots, agents and public members; appointments affect oversight of pilot licensing and safety in Alaska’s ports. Committee members asked nominees about qualifications, conflicts of interest and workforce challenges—issues that relate to pilot availability and maritime operations in ports such as Valdez, Homer and Dutch Harbor.
Key details from the hearing: Habiger said he previously worked with cruise line agencies of Alaska and Royal Caribbean and served for a time in state government, including as director of CBPL and, before an administration change, as deputy commissioner of administration; he also described running small businesses, including a service contract with the Juneau Reentry Coalition. Habiger emphasized that he no longer has industry ties that would conflict with a public-member seat and cited the statute governing board composition (AS 08.62.010 and AS 08.01.025) when explaining eligibility requirements. Cunningham told the committee he was first appointed to the board in June 2022, lives in Homer with his family, and has been working to attract younger pilots into Alaska’s pilot corps.
What the committee did not do: The committee did not record a roll-call vote; advancement occurred by unanimous consent. There were no formal objections, no recorded recusals and no public testimony in opposition or support during the hearing.
What to watch next: The nominees will appear for confirmation in a future joint session of the Alaska Legislature; the committee will sign paperwork after adjournment as part of the record. Information about future Senate Transportation meetings was announced to be distributed to members later the same day.
