124KETCHIKANThe southernmost Port of Entry in Alaska, Ketchikan is a growing and active
city of 12,000. Its facilities sprawl along the east bank of Tongass Narrows.
The approach and entry to Ketchikan is straightforward --one merely continues
up Revillagigedo Channel into Tongass Narrows.There are three m'6ort~~la~~~~ ;if~ '~he vicinity. Approachlng from the south,
the first is tTiJQ.1I@5 Basin'. The entrance lies between a rock breakwater and a
floating 10g boomproYéEtor. Transient moorage areas are sho.:n on the sketch,
but they are usually fil1ed, so one normal1y takes a vacant berth whi1e
checking in. The advantage of Thomas Basin is that it is close to the downtown
area of Ketchikan. A good market is close by on Stedman Street while the
Customs Office is about 1/4 mile away on Main Street. At present Customs
Officers require the skipper to come ashore to the office to report in (they do
not come to the boat as in some Ports of Entry).A telephone booth at the creek near the float walkway a110ws one to contact
the Harbormaster whose office is at Bar Point Basin. He can a1so be ca1led on
VHF Ch. 16. Since most berths in the Ketchikan area are rented, the harbor-
master wi11 inform the skipper which berths are temporarily empty and thus may. be used. A fee 1s charged for daily use.
The next moorage 1s the City Floats. They are at the do~ntown waterfront,
but are usually filled, while even if space is available the wash from harbor
activity creates an uncomfortab1e moorage. Better moorage is available in the
Bar Point Basin which is about one mile northwest, where concrete and rock
breakwaters protect the floats. At present, shower and laundromat facilit1es
are in a small cafe. Though this basin lies about a mile from the downtown
area, alI facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, bars, etc. can be found
along the way.The 1IIIl docks are south of Thomas Basin, just northwest of the Coast Guard
base which 1s passed when entering the harbor. The Alaska State Ferry dock, as
we11 as the local ferry to the airport (loeated across Tongass Narrows) are
northwest of the Bar Point Basin.Ketchikan is a lively and interesting pIace. The downtown area has the
usual tourist attraetions, shops, and marine stores. Creek Street, once a red
light district, 1s now a tourist area with many sma!l specialty stores.
Several wa1ks can be taken to explore the city and its immediate environs.
Brochures describing these walks can be obtained at the Ketchikan Visitor's
Bureau on Front Street. The Totem Heritage Center is of special interest as
totems are restored and other native crafts are displayed. About 3 miles south
of Ketch1kan 1s a large collection af totem poles at the Saxman Totem Park.
Another collection (with 'a replica of a community house) is lO miles.north at
Totem Bight State Historic Park.Misty Fiords National Monument lies a short distance to the east. It may
be visited by boat or by using the many facilities available in Ketchikan. On
a c1ear day, an aeriai view is spectacular. However, Ketchikan and ~isty
Fiords lie in the 'wet' belt, and have up to 162 inches of rain per year.
Cloudy days are the norm for more than two-thirds of the year so if you
experience a sunny day with blue skies you are indeed fortunate!