Harbour

Swanson Harbor

1.6United StatesAlaska

Maximum length: 40 m
Maximum draught: 5 m

State-maintained anchorage and pair of floats in the Couverden Islands at the junction of Icy Strait, Chatham Strait and Lynn Canal, about 25 NM south-west of Juneau.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from Icy Strait between Couverden Island and Ansley Island. Enter from the south-west, leaving Entrance Island to starboard. Soundings drop quickly to over 5 m at the floats. Tidal streams in Icy Strait run hard, so time the entry on slack water at Point Couverden. No lights, no buoyage, GPS and chart work required.

Practical

Two state-maintained floats, not connected to shore, managed by the city of Haines. Eight berths between the two floats. No water, no power, no fuel. Holding in the surrounding bay is good in mud. Funter Bay Seaplane Base lies 7.2 NM east on Admiralty Island, Statter Harbor at Auke Bay 17.8 NM north-east.

History

Point Couverden was named by Captain Vancouver on 13 July 1794 after Couverden in the Netherlands, the home of his ancestors. The Couverden Islands have since served as the natural staging post between Icy Strait, Lynn Canal and Chatham Strait for vessels working the Inside Passage.