Official Marine Publications & Resources

Equip your vessel and crew with verified, high-signal maritime documentation. Access official handbooks, fillable Coast Guard float plans, interactive NOAA charts, and Southcentral regulations summaries.

⚡ DYNAMIC CRUISING TOOLS

Interactive Guides & Tools

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Spawning & Visitor Guide

Salmon Hatcheries Guide

PWS Aquaculture Portal

Explore the Sound's 4 major remote salmon hatcheries. Review exact coordinates, VHF hailing protocols, tour schedules, and salmon species returns.

Explore Hatcheries Guide  →
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Safety & Transit

Interactive Float Plan Creator

Pre-Departure Safety

Build, customize, and generate a print-ready or email-ready official marine float plan to leave with your designated shore contact.

Create Float Plan  →
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Responders & Medevac

Local Resources Directory

Searchable Directory

Instantly search and filter emergency medevac contacts, harbormasters, water taxis, hatcheries, and towing services across PWS.

Access Directory  →
📥 OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS

Downloadable PDFs & Guides

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State of Alaska Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation Official DNR Portal · DNR Resource

PWS Boater's Handbook Supplement

The definitive official handbook supplement detailing Prince William Sound's harbors, local wind hazards, safety checklists, emergency contacts, and wildlife regulations. Fully digitized and hosted locally.

🌐 Access Official Portal
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary PDF Document · 260 KB

USCG Fillable Float Plan Template

The official fillable float plan template. Complete this form, print or email it, and leave it with a reliable shore contact before departing on any remote marine transit in the Sound.

💾 Download PDF
U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center PDF Document · 18.2 MB

USCG Navigation Rules Handbook (COLREGS)

The complete, official International & Inland Navigation Rules of the Road. Crucial legal reference and carriage guideline for safety, stand-on/give-way responsibilities, and visual/sound signaling.

💾 Download PDF
🌐 PORTALS & REGULATORY DATABASES

External Web Portals & Databases

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Charts & Navigation

NOAA Interactive Chart 16700 Viewer

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Full interactive digital raster nautical chart covering the entirety of Prince William Sound. Excellent for reviewing depth contours, moraine sills, rocks, and anchorage entries online.

Access Official Portal  →
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Regulations & Hunting

ADF&G Southcentral Fishing Regulations

Alaska Department of Fish & Game

Direct portal to active regulatory summaries, bag limits, gear regulations, emergency orders, and salmon run closures for Prince William Sound and the North Gulf Coast.

Access Official Portal  →
Reservations & Lodging

Recreation.gov PWS USFS Cabin Reservations

U.S. Forest Service / Chugach National Forest

The official booking portal for reserving the 15+ remote, wilderness public use cabins dotting the secluded beaches and spruce shorelines of western and central PWS.

Access Official Portal  →
Live Conditions & Weather

NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Juneau

NWS Alaska Region

Live marine forecasts, wind velocity charts, sea height models, active gale/storm warnings, and direct links to marine VHF weather broadcasts covering Port Wells and the Gulf of Alaska.

Access Official Portal  →
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VESSEL CARRIAGE REGULATIONS

Under Federal Code 33 CFR § 164.33, all marine vessels operating in United States waters must carry up-to-date nautical charts and marine publications. The downloadable documents and NOAA links provided on this page satisfy standard planning requirements, but must always be cross-referenced with active Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) issued by USCG District 17.