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My documents say I have a 34-foot boat, but I am not allowed in the 32-foot slip. How do you determine the length of a boat?
The length of the boat means the overall length. The overall length or silhouette length of the boat is measured from the forward-most point to the after-most point, including all anchor pulpits, bowsprits, swim steps, outboard motors, davits and so forth. Sale documents or builder's documents frequently list a length other than overall. It is typically length at the waterline, which is almost always shorter than the overall length. When you add the two feet of tiller and three feet of bowsprit for the 34-foot boat, the overall length becomes 39 feet, which is too large for a 32-foot slip.
If I am unsure of my boat length, what should I do?
You should measure the boat from the forward-most point to the after-most point, rounding up to the next whole foot. If you wish, contact us and we will gladly measure the boat for you.
What is the size limit for boats in any given slip?
Generally, the boat size must be within four feet of the slip size, under or over. So for a 32-foot slip, the boat must be no less than 27 feet long and no greater than 36 feet long.
If I want a slip in the Seward Small Boat Harbor for a boat, what do I have to do?
To obtain a slip, contact us in person, by letter, by email or by telephone and we will provide you with a Moorage Application. If you are issued a slip or want to use transient moorage, you will need to provide the Harbormaster with proof of ownership and proof of insurance. If there are no slips available, we will send you a Wait List Application, which will tell us a little bit about you and about your boat. Upon receipt of the Wait List Application and fee, your name will be placed on the Wait List for the appropriate size slip effective the date the completed paperwork is received. This list is renewed each year on November 1.
How long does it take to get a slip?
Depending upon the overall length of your boat, it may take from 5-10 years on the Wait List to get a reserved slip.
What happens to my boat if I don't have a slip?
There are approximately 2500 feet of parallel or transient moorage available. During high use periods, boats may be rafted (tied outboard of each other) up to three boats deep. If slip holders are absent for a significant period, the Harbormaster may temporarily assign a transient boat to a slip to better manage the space and congestion of the harbor.
I am a slip holder, and when I leave, you place boats in my slip and collect moorage from them as well. Isn't that "double-dipping", collecting twice for the same moorage space?
No, it isn't charging twice for the same space. It is a space management technique to ease the burden on other boats and the float system by fully using the space available. The boat that temporarily occupies your slip is paying transient moorage, whether it is in your slip or not. By placing the boat temporarily in your slip, we ease the congestion and stress on the float system in another part of the harbor, where the boat would be if yours were in your slip.
I'm thinking of buying someone else's boat, and they have a slip in the Seward harbor. Can I transfer their slip into my name?
Slips are not transferable upon the sale of the assigned boat. Once an "owner" loses "qualifying interest" in a boat with reserved moorage, that reserved moorage will be reassigned to the next person on the Wait List.
What is "qualifying interest"?
This means to own or have exclusive control over the operation and navigation of the boat.
What happens to a boat in the winter?
The Seward Harbor does not require a boat owner to have a winter boat watch person in Seward, but it is strongly recommended. The boat owner should leave an emergency contact number to be called in case they cannot be reached during an emergency. It is strongly recommended this contact number be someone in Seward, so that immediate action may be taken if the boat needs attention.
Why isn't electricity available on all floats?
The floats were not designed to have an electrical distribution system. Over the years, it has been retro fitted with an old trailer park system. This met the needs for a time, but upgrades and changes could only do so much. It is very expensive to replace the electrical system and add service and there isn't enough money to fund the $1.5 million upgrade. Future projects will upgrade the electrical system on all the floats and provide power to every slip.
How do I get electricity turned on at my slip?
You may sign up at the Harbormaster's Office. If power is available, you will fill out a turn-on request and be required to deposit $100. You will be billed a monthly service charge and for KW hr usage. This billing period runs from the 15th to the 15th of each month.
If I don't like my slip, can I get a different one? How?
Once you are assigned a slip, you may apply for a transfer to the same size slip at a different location. This is accomplished by filling out a transfer request form at the Harbormaster's office. When a transfer meeting your needs is available, we will contact you and offer the transfer.
If I get a slip, say for a 28' boat, and then a few years from now decide to buy a bigger boat, will I automatically get a slip for a bigger boat?
No. If you are anticipating moving to a larger boat, we encourage you to get on the appropriate Wait List as soon as possible. That way, when you get the bigger boat, hopefully you will be at the top of that Wait List and can be assigned the slip soon after getting the new boat.
Insurance is required at the Seward Small Boat Harbor. If I don't get insurance, or I let my insurance expire, what will happen?
The City of Seward Code, §7.10.345, requires that all harbor users have liability insurance. There is no specified level of coverage for recreational boats, but liability insurance is required. For boats operating for hire, the City requires a minimum of $1.0 million liability insurance, with the City named as an additional insured and a waiver of subrogation. If you let your insurance lapse, you will be notified by the Harbormaster's office. If you fail to obtain the necessary insurance, you are not meeting the provisions of Title 7, City of Seward Code and are subject to relinquishing the slip.
Why isn't parking for a vehicle included in my moorage fee?
Parking is not a part of the harbor. The Parking Enterprise Fund is a separate and distinct fund operated by the City Administration or a contractor to the City. The fees provided by the fund are used for operations and maintenance activities within that fund. Similarly, the Harbor Enterprise Fund is operated using moorage fees collected from users. One fee covers the expenses of one fund, while the other fee covers the other fund. The two funds do not mix or support each other. They are independent and distinct.
Do people who live in Seward get priority in getting a slip in the harbor?
No.
I pay one annual fee. Why do I get taxed as if it were 12 twelve separate payments?
The Kenai Peninsula Borough classifies slip rental as a lease. Leases under the KPB tax code are taxed as if they were in monthly increments, so although you may pay one annual fee, the tax will be calculated as if you made twelve monthly installments.
May I pay for harbor services with a credit card?
Yes, the Harbor accepts MasterCard and VISA for payments on account.
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