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Business owners urge Skagway to pursue berthing talks with American Cruise Lines; assembly refers discussion to Ports & Harbors
Summary
A Skagway business owner asked the assembly to negotiate berthing with American Cruise Lines to restore small-ship overnight calls; assembly members agreed to ask Ports & Harbors to review berthing options at the ore dock north end.
Steve Heights, owner of the Skagway Streetcar Company, told the Aug. 21 Skagway Assembly that American Cruise Lines (ACL) once helped revive local tourism and that ACL’s small-ship, overnight calls would bring reliable business. He asked the city manager to begin negotiations with ACL about using a north-dock berth or the north ore-dock slot for summer 2026 berthing.
Heights said ACL runs U.S.-built 175-passenger ships that employ U.S. crews and that ACL would be willing to invest in a berth. He urged the assembly to “clear a path” to secure ACL’s interest before other communities do.
Assemblymember Hansen raised the same issue later under discussion items and proposed sending the ACL-berthing concept to the Ports & Harbors Advisory Board for review; other members agreed and the city manager said the ports chair could add the item to that committee’s next agenda.
City staff earlier noted contact from ACL had been forwarded to the assembly and that ports and harbors will consider berthing and ferry-float options as part of ongoing port planning.
What happens next: staff and the Ports & Harbors Advisory Board will review the feasibility of permitting or preparing a north-dock berth and report back to the assembly.
