WELCOME

Welcome to the Alaska Harbormaster’s Web Page. My name is Steve Corporon and I am the current President of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators. Our Association is comprised of managers from public harbor systems throughout Alaska, most of which are municipally owned and operated. We also have numerous corporate members from related harbor professions, including consultants, engineers, construction contractors, maritime attorneys, and equipment suppliers. If you are interested in what we have to offer, we encourage you to become a member of our Association and help us make Alaska’s harbors the best they can be.

Alaska is blessed with one of the finest public harbors systems on the planet. Our magnificent coastline and bountiful marine resources make our harbors vitally important to Alaskans and our communities. Unlike the lower 48, most of our fleet is commercial in nature. The economic benefits generated from our public harbor systems are profound and, in some cases, are the primary economic drivers of an entire community. Many of our residents subsist from fish and game resources. Our harbors as the access point for these activities. The spirit of public access to our waterfront is engrained in our state constitution and a belief held strongly by every Alaskan.

The future of Alaska's public harbor system has never been brighter. In 2006, the Alaska Legislature passed landmark legislation setting up a state grant program that matches our community's investments in harbor capital improvements. This new grant program is going a long way in recapitalizing harbor infrastructure throughout the state. The program's effects will be felt for decades. I want to thank AAHPA Past President John Stone who was instrumental in the effort to establish this program.

The quality of talent operating Alaska harbors has never been better. Visit any harbor facility in the state and you will I mean. Members of our Association are in the forefront of developing training programs for harbor professionals.

We also believe in having fun. Every year, we hold an annual conference at one of our member communities. This year's conference was in Kodiak from October 19-23, 2009. We had a chance to learn more about our profession through presentations from a variety of speakers on topics ranging from the harbor grant program mentioned above to the regulations regarding interaction with marine mammals. We also had a great time swapping sea stories and lessons learned. Next years conference will be held in Wrangell and while the exact dates haven't been set yet it will likely be in mid to late October. We hope to see you there.

Steve Corporon
President

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Resolution 2009-01

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