Skagway ports director updates inspections and board votes to prioritize master‑plan update

Port Director Jennings updated the Ports & Harbor Advisory Board on March 10 about recent facility inspections and project timelines.

Jennings said divers inspected the small boat harbor sheet‑pile wall and that additional inspections were added while contractors were in town. She reported that one North dolphin had been inspected and verbally assessed as showing "no in‑water damage." Jennings also noted rock‑slide safety maintenance bids were due the next day at 2 p.m. and that the municipality continues to monitor PIDP grant notices without a firm reveal date.

Board members asked for timing on facility condition reports and for photos of inspected features. Jennings said reports typically arrived in three to four weeks and that staff would share images. She noted the municipality marks March 19 as the third anniversary of operating the port.

Separately, during new business the board voted to recommend that the assembly prioritize a new port master plan update. Members cited changed conditions since the 2021 plan — including the rock slide, contamination questions identified by DEC/ADEC, and ferry‑float replacement considerations — and emphasized public engagement and low‑hanging infrastructure needs such as shelters and restrooms for visitors.

Chair LaVoy said the board will push the assembly to treat a master‑plan update as a priority and that the director will scope RFP and public‑engagement steps. Board members suggested the update should consider phased, implementable projects (restrooms/shelters, small‑boat harbor improvements, fuel dock and the flexible phasing already in the plan) while keeping long‑term dredging and ore‑terminal options on the table.