Thomsen Harbor

Thomsen Harbor anchors Sitka's inner harbor district, located off the north end of Katlian Street just south of Eliason Harbor and directly adjacent to the City and Borough of Sitka Harbor Department offices at 617 Katlian Street. With 226 permanent slips accommodating vessels from 20 to 82 feet in length, it is one of the most significant of the five city-operated harbors in the Sitka system, which collectively holds more than 1,300 stalls and ranks among the largest small-boat harbor networks in Alaska.

Transient cruisers are well served here. A dedicated transient float stretches 980 feet along the north side of the harbor office, providing substantial alongside moorage for visiting vessels that is separate from the permanent-slip grid. All transient arrivals are required to check in with the harbormaster within eight hours of entering the harbor system. The harbor office is staffed seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with office hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thomsen Harbor is one of three harbors in the Sitka system equipped with a fixed pump-out station (the others are Crescent and Eliason), operated via a mobile pump-out boat that comes alongside the vessel. The harbor is also connected to Sitka's system-wide shore power network: 30-amp and 50-amp single-phase electrical service is available at metered daily rates, and select large-vessel berths offer 100-amp three-phase power.

Fuel is not available at Thomsen Harbor directly. The nearest marine fuel is Petro Marine Services (907-747-3414) at Statter Harbor, which operates a floating fuel dock.

The harbor's location in Sitka's inner waterway, backed by the steep terrain of Baranof Island and Sitka's urban waterfront, gives it solid all-round protection. Prevailing Southeast Alaska weather brings southeast and south winds during winter storm cycles; Thomsen's position behind the Katlian Street waterfront and adjacent to the island mass reduces exposure from most quadrants, though northwest and west swells from Sitka Sound's outer fetch can occasionally push into the basin.

Restrooms and shower facilities are on site above nearby Eliason Harbor, shared across the harbor district. All berths are within easy walking distance of downtown Sitka, including grocery stores, marine supply shops, hardware, restaurants, and the Sitka Tribal Enterprises fish-processing infrastructure. Petro Marine and Delta Western both serve commercial fleet and recreational fuel needs in the area.

The harbor is named in recognition of the Thomsen family, early contributors to Sitka's commercial fishing and maritime community. Commercial fishing vessels form the backbone of permanent moorage at Thomsen, alongside charter boats, recreational cruisers, and seasonal transient traffic from cruising vessels traveling the Inside Passage and the outer Southeast Alaska coast.