BARTLETT COVE, AK - The National Park Service has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals for tour vessel services within Glacier Bay National Park. Multiple 10-year tour vessel concession contracts are expected to be awarded.
Tour vessels allow large and diverse groups of visitors to experience the limitless inspiration of the Park. Since 1979, tour vessel access to Glacier Bay has been managed by the National Park Service to limit impacts on park resources while supporting the visitor experience. Authorized services under these contracts will include guided interpretive, sightseeing and wildlife viewing tours; day use off-vessel activities on water and land; and photography.
Tour vessels are defined as any motor vessel of less than 100 tons gross (U.S. System) or 2,000 tons gross (International Convention System) engaged in transport of passengers for hire and certificated to carry more than 12 passengers overnight or more than 49 passengers for daytime use.
Tour Vessels are limited to a daily quota of three entries within Glacier Bay. One of these three is reserved for the day tour vessel associated with the Glacier Bay Lodge, authorized under a separate contract.
The anticipated term of the contracts will be Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2033.
Proposals must be received by 4 p.m. Oct. 20, 2023 in order to be considered for the award of contracts.
The prospectus is available on the National Park Service website here.
Tags: commercial services news release prospectus tour vessel
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service