In his report at the Nome Port Commission meeting on October 19, Harbormaster Lucas Stotts said things are “definitely starting to starting to wind down” at the Nome Port.
Just a handful of vessels are expected to use the port facilities within the next week, marking the end of the season. One of the final ships to be seen will be the French ship Ile de Batz, which has been transporting fiber optic cable for Quintillion’s high-speed internet project.
At Nome’s Port, Stotts said most large vessels have been hauled out of the water for winter, and the floating docks will be pulled from the small boat harbor early next week. He has also begun the process of impounding vessels with overdue fees.
Port Director Joy Baker reported she has submitted the grant proposals discussed at the last meeting, including a $12.9 million federal grant from the Department of Transportation to expand the small boat harbor into the Snake River. Baker said she has her “fingers crossed” for the funding to come through, comparing the congestion in the harbor to “a difficult game of Tetris.”
New at the port, 21 security cameras have been installed around the facilities. According to Baker, staff will be trained next week, and the system will be up and running by the end of the month.
The Port Commission currently has one vacant seat. The City Clerk’s Office is accepting applications for the appointment through November 2.
Nome’s Port Commission will have their next regular meeting on November 16.
Image at top: The Nome Port Commission met in Old St. Joe’s for the regular meeting on October 19, 2017. Photo: Zoe Grueskin/KNOM.
