Harbormasters at small ports, especially in northern regions, will find this book invaluable in the day-to-day operation and long-term maintenance of their harbors. The chief difference for northern harbors is the need for more robust structures built to withstand the severe climate. Topics include maintenance planning, repair and maintenance techniques, conducting inspections, creating a resource library, construction materials, harbor and port structures, effect of the environment on materials and structures, hazardous materials, utilities, harbor economics, and safety.

Small craft harbors and marinas in Alaska are typically designed to moor vessels that are less than 100 feet in length. Harbors represent a major investment in infrastructure that has been provided in large part by the State of Alaska, with local communities providing management and operational support of the facilities. Harbors range from having very limited dock space to more than a thousand mooring slips. Harbor staffing levels are generally representative of the facility size, and normally include employees that are responsible for business management, maintenance, and operation of the harbor. Maintenance and operation of northern harbor facilities require the use of unique and challenging solutions by harbor employees, especially in our climate of chronic deferred maintenance and limited budgets. This book is meant to assist people already on the docks performing the tasks, and is not an exhaustive resource on harbor maintenance and operations. The engineering firm of Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc. (PND) working with the State of Alaska developed the prototype of this maintenance book in 1988, and it still offers many ideas for use today.

This book includes several examples of programs already place here in Valdez, Alaska. Structures in Alaska are little different from those in place in the Pacific Northwest. The chief difference in Alaska construction standards is the need for more robust structures built to withstand our severe climate. As a friend of mine once said, “If it will work here, it will work anywhere.”

Published by Alaska Sea Grant College Program at UAF - Available for Purchase On-line

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