Seward's Marine Industry

Located at the northern tip of Resurrection Bay, Seward has long been a maritime destination. As Alaska’s only deep-water, ice-free port with rail, highway, and air transportation, the city of Seward is well-situated and easily accessible from Alaska’s major hubs and the Lower 48, but Seward’s history as a meeting point long predates roads and railways. 

In the Alutiiq language, Seward is known as Qutekcak, meaning ‘big beach’, and served the Alutiiq, Sugpiaq, and other Alaska Native peoples as a meeting area. The robust marine ecosystem and convenient geographic location made Seward, or Qutekcak, a mixing area for groups throughout Southcentral Alaska. After the purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867, American settlers came to Seward and founded the city in 1903 as a supply base and terminal for a railway. 

Seward’s maritime history continues to grow and morph to the needs of the times. Today, Seward is home to a variety of vessels, from the commercial fishing fleet to tour boats, as well as a trove of maintenance, education, and research opportunities. 

SEWARD BOAT HARBOR
SEWARD BOAT HARBOR

Check out the Seward Marine Guide - a great publication for those in the marine industry wanting to learn more about Seward and the opportunities available locally. Get your copy at the Seward Chamber, or at the Harbormaster Station in the harbor. Click through to view the guide on issuu.com!