Petersburg residents, businesses and harbor officials debate proposed dock partnership with American Cruise Lines

At a Petersburg Borough town hall meeting, residents, business owners, harbor staff and borough officials heard more detail about a proposal from American Cruise Lines to add a small gangway and float at the end of Dock Street to serve its vessels and other small boats.

Proponents at the meeting said the proposal could help Petersburg’s shoulder season and support local businesses. Jim Floyd, general manager and CEO of Hammer Recon and former president of the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, said, “we rely on tourism to carry us through the lean months, the shoulder months,” and described American Cruise Lines customers as “good customers for Petersburg.” Madeline Valentine, co‑owner of Viking Travel, and several retail and tour operators said seasonal visitor dollars keep shops and services open year‑round.

American Cruise Lines representative Kristen Mara described the company’s model as focused on smaller vessels and U.S. jobs: “All of our vessels … are 200 passengers or fewer. We believe that is the right size for the kinds of communities where we like to call.” Mara said the company proposes building a small float, gangway and pilings and that the finished float would be a borough facility. An American Cruise Lines spokesperson later said the outer slip…