WHO WE ARE
PORTS & HARBORS DEPARTMENT
Wrangell Ports & Harbors manages and maintains the City & Borough of Wrangell’s working waterfront—keeping moorage safe, operations reliable, and services easy to access for local, commercial, and visiting vessels.
Our team
A dedicated staff oversees daily operations and long-term improvements, including the Director, three Assistant Harbormasters, a Marine Service Center Lead, and an Administrative Assistant.
What we operate
Three harbor basins: Heritage, Reliance, and Shoemaker—moorage options for a range of vessel sizes, most slips with power and water.
Deep-water public dock with a stern mooring dolphin accommodating vessels up to ~925 feet.
Seasonal floats for small boat tours and gear transfer.
Seaplane float and fuel dock.
U.S. Customs Agent on site to serve marine arrivals.
Marine Service Center (MSC)
Wrangell’s MSC supports fabrication, maintenance, and yard services for a wide range of vessels.
Lifts: 150-ton Travelift and 300-ton ASCOM boat lift.
Yards: Vessel haul-out and storage areas, plus nearby tidal gridirons.
Work options: Designated self-service repair yard for resident and visiting vessels.
Freight access: Deep-water barge dock with upland storage support.
Local ecosystem: Private shipyards and marine businesses provide fabrication and repair services.
Safety & readiness
Search and Rescue Team
Oil spill response equipment with trained personnel
Working gear infrastructure: floats, net racks, four hoists
Regional access
Wrangell is well connected for crew and freight:
Alaska Marine Highway System (ferry terminal)
Wrangell Airport (Alaska Airlines and charter operators)
Barge freight via Alaska Marine Lines and Samson Tug & Barge
PORT COMMISSION
Port Commission
The Port Commission is a five-member elected body that advises on the operation, development, and long-term planning of Wrangell’s ports and harbors. Commissioners serve staggered three-year terms to ensure steady oversight and community representation. The Commission provides guidance on harbor operations, infrastructure investments, policies, and fee structures.
Meetings
When: First Thursday of each month (open to the public)
Agendas & Dates: Visit the City & Borough of Wrangell website to view upcoming meeting dates and agendas.
Meeting dates/times are subject to change. Please check the CBW website for the latest information.
Current Members & Terms
Winston J. Davies — term ending 2025
John Yeager — term ending 2025
Antonio Sylva — term ending 2026
Chris Buness — term ending 2027
Eric Yancey — term ending 2027
Contact
For questions or to contact a Commissioner:
Harbor Director: (907) 874-3736 · harbor@wrangell.com
Borough Clerk: (907) 874-2381 · clerk@wrangell.com
MARITIME HISTORY
Wrangell’s maritime story begins long before commercial vessels. As the traditional homeland of the Shtax’héen Ḵwáan of the Tlingit Nation, these waters and the Stikine River supported Indigenous travel, trade, fishing, and subsistence for generations.
Through the 19th and 20th centuries, Wrangell’s harbors became a vital link in Southeast Alaska—supporting commercial fishing, regional marine transportation, and later the timber economy. Investment in docks, float systems, and barge facilities expanded as the community grew, creating local jobs and strengthening Wrangell’s role along the Inside Passage.
Today, Wrangell’s working waterfront remains the heart of the community. The Marine Service Center supports modern vessel repair and maintenance, while the harbor system serves seafood processors, charter and recreational boats, research and visiting vessels, and year-round marine services. Our goal is the same as it has always been: safe, reliable access to the water and a healthy, resilient economy for Wrangell.
For more information about Wrangell’s history, visit Travel Wrangell’s History page.