August 09, 2012
Thursday PM

I have launched many times at Mountain Point Launch Facility over the past years; even more so when I moved south in 1989. I do not remember the exact date Ketchikan Ports and Harbors started requiring people to pay launch permits and fees. I do however remember how much it bothered me; it was not a requirement for many years before.

It entered my mind that since additional revenue was being obtained; there might be some improvements made on the facility. This would be nice. The only improvements I have seen are a dumpster, a bulletin board where there is a place to deposit your daily launch fee if you do not have a permit, a cabinet with life jackets for kids to borrow and return. A toilet facility was constructed way off in the corner of the parking lot --outhouse style. I am not sure if it is kept open through the winter; most likely not.    

Things that would be helpful and useful to users that would require little effort and revenue are: bumpers on the landing floats and a decent fish cleaning station with a wash down pump which would require electrical unless a hand pump was installed.

The parking lot at the top of the ramps often looks like there had been a mortar attack the night before; some type of reconstruction would be helpful.

These are all things that most users would be grateful for I'm sure!        

Richard Rold
Ketchikan, AK

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