Alaska Excursions’ owner Robert Murphy defended his company’s operation and reputation during a public hearing where he appealed the Haines Borough’s denial of a tour permit renewal over failing to register canoes.

This time last year, about 10 former employees publicly criticized the company’s safety and maintenance practices when Murphy applied for a new tour permit at Glacier Point. In July, a canoe overturned after its motor failed to go into gear, an event one of the critical former employees forewarned in public comment. Because the water was higher and swifter than normal, the canoe went broadside and tipped, spilling its occupants into rapids. One man, Steven Willis, died.

The Alaska State Troopers ruled the death an accidental drowning. Although Murphy wasn’t cited, the investigating trooper told Murphy that by state law, he needed to register his canoes. After the death, assembly members Sean Maidy and Tom Morphet both said they wanted to discuss suspending or revoking Murphy’s tour. The borough attorney told the assembly it had standing to revoke or suspend the tour after the assembly voted to seek his advice on the matter.

Friday’s hearing came after borough clerk Alekka Fullerton last month denied Murphy’s application to renew his tour for failing to register the canoes used to shuttle tourists from a river to Davidson Glacier. Borough code requires tour operators to comply with state law, or risk their permit being revoked, or its renewal denied.

Borough manager Debra Schnabel presided over the appeal hearing, and will make the decision whether to approve or deny Murphy’s permit. She asked Murphy if he thought the reason his permit’s denial was valid.

“No,” Murphy said. “The cost of registering is $24 for three years. So, it’s $8 a year. It’s clearly administrative. It doesn’t involve any certification. It doesn’t involve any inspection. It is done at the DMV, and it’s paperwork and we exchange the money. There was clearly no intent on our side to circumvent the law at all, particularly to save $8.”

Murphy registered the canoes in August, shortly after the drowning.

From his history as a tour operator, to the way he organizes his company’s chain of command, Schnabel asked Murphy a broad range of questions that she said were designed to establish “not only your competency, but also to operate the tour and establish for the community a degree of confidence that your endeavors will have the best chance.”

Murphy said he started his business 27 years ago in Skagway as a 19-year-old with a van. Now, he said, Alaska Excursions provides tours to 100,000 people each year and employs 150 people during peak season.

Some of the criticism from former employees focused on their managers, and Murphy being unwilling to listen to them. Schnabel asked if his company’s internal communications were strong or weak. Murphy said while everything can be improved, communication within his company is “probably as good as it’s ever been. Alaska Excursions has a chain of command, and if an issue is minor an employee should talk to their immediate supervisor, Murphy said. “If you don’t feel like you’re being heard, start moving up the ladder,” Murphy said. “Absolutely if you feel it’s that urgent, talk to any one of us at any time.”

Schnabel told Murphy “it sounds like you acknowledge” the need to mentor staff and make sure the organizational structure is understood.

“All the time,” Murphy said.

Schnabel asked Murphy what he changed about his tour after the death. Murphy said he hired a safety director to audit all of his tours and ensure employees were following updated safety protocols. He also strung a cork line across the river so guides could grab it should a canoe again lose control.

Schnabel asked if Murphy understood the public concern regarding his operations. Murphy said in 2017 he “terminated our employment relationship with all of our Glacier Point staff.” Those guides were among those who criticized Murphy and his company last February. Murphy said the canoe tour’s former owner, Bart Henderson, told him firing everyone was a bad move.

“I don’t really want to get into the reasons,” Murphy said. “It became kind of a toxic environment and it wasn’t healthy for our company. It wasn’t healthy for them. It was not a good match. I really don’t want to say much about it.”

Besides the former employees, Murphy blamed the media for painting an inaccurate picture of his company and not giving him a voice. “You don’t get a chance to say, ‘Hey that doesn’t look like me,’” Murphy said. “You just don’t have a chance.”

Company officials were unresponsive to three requests for comment from the CVN this summer, two by email and one in person. The CVN reached out to six Glacier Point guides after the accident who were also unresponsive.

Schnabel has until Feb. 18 to make a decision on Murphy’s appeal.

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