Assembly Votes No on Resolution to Prevent Derelict Vessels with Added Charges

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

At its regular meeting last Thursday, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly considered a series of resolutions from the Alaska Municipal League, which consists of government representatives from throughout the state.

The assembly must take a position on the resolutions as a member of the league. One was about the prevention of derelict vessels, a problem at harbors across Alaska.

Assemblyman Kyle Crow said the resolution would implement extra fees and require vessel owners to provide additional insurance.

“I think there are currently enough laws on our books, and this is just placing more layers of more bureaucracy, and more forms, and more charge and fees for something that I think should already be managed and handled by the existing laws on the books.”

Assemblyman Scott Smiley spoke to the motivating power of more regulations.

“I think there are going to vessels where maintenance in not being kept up because people don’t have much money, and I see what happens when you have derelict vessels when they sink and it’s not the responsibility of the coast guard or the state to get them out. It’s the responsibility of the local harbor, and it can be a big burden.”

The resolution failed 3 – 2.

The next meeting of the assembly will be Thursday. It’ll be a special meeting dedicated to interviewing the seven applicants up for the vacant assembly seat and choosing the new assembly member. Andy Shroeder, Executive Director of the Island Trails Network, submitted his application Friday. A work session will follow the special meeting.