Alaska News

Adak seeking state funds for small boat harbor

Adak is hoping for $15 million from the state legislature to complete its small boat harbor, according to city manager Layton Lockett. Since 2001, the city has already spent $10.6 million on the project, which aims to help the small fishing fleet of boats under 60 feet long.

Presently, boats can tie up against the harbor wall, but cannot offload fish in the harbor which does not have any docks. When completed, the expanded harbor will have slips and a boat launching ramp and a Marine Travelift, for lifting vessels from the water for repairs, Lockett said.

"The idea is to support the small boat fishing fleet," Lockett said.

Construction of the harbor dates back to when Adak was a military base and the Navy first built it for pleasure craft. The Adak Naval Air Station closed in the late 1990s, and was turned over to The Aleut Corp. for civilian conversion.

About five fishing boats are based in Adak, and about that many from out of town are regular visitors, Lockett said.

This story first appeared in The Bristol Bay Times/Dutch Harbor Fisherman and is republished here with permission. Jim Paulin can be reached at paulinjim(at)yahoo.com

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