Anchorage committee outlines guardrails for water taxis and ferries, sets joint May meeting with Murph

At its April 16 meeting the Anchorage Advisory Committee discussed guardrails the town should adopt if it allows water taxis, shuttles or ferry services and agreed to a joint meeting with the Murph committee on May 13 to refine recommendations.

Chair said the committee’s paper (shared in advance) was a starting point and asked members to identify two priorities each for taxi and ferry ordinances. Curtis and other members outlined the federal, state and county licensing framework that already governs vessels and operators: small 'water taxi' style operations commonly operate under an uninspected "6-pack" captain's license (limited to six passengers), while ferry services typically require inspected vessels and larger licenses (25–100 ton captain licenses). Members suggested a practical local capacity threshold of 49 passengers or fewer for ferry services that operate locally.

Members also emphasized environmental and navigational safeguards. The Chair said speed zones and wildlife protection already exist and should be enforced; Curtis said operators should be required to follow safe approaches to marine wildlife such as manatees and dolphins. Members raised logistical concerns about ferry landings and parking at potential stops (the Arches, Snook Bite, Junkanoo and Fishtail) and warned that scheduled ferry service may not be immediately financially viable without pilot projects or subsidies.

On regulatory approach the Chair expressed a preference for a town-issued, standardized permit layered on top of existing federal and county requirements so the process is predictable and scalable. Curtis summarized three items operators would likely have to obtain: the appropriate captain's license (coast-guard issued), an occupational/business license, and a town permit if the town adopts that model.

The committee will refine suggested priorities and bring them to the joint meeting with Murph on May 13. The committee asked staff to prepare whiteboards/easels for that session to facilitate a round-table format.