The Chilkat Valley News quotes Fire Department Chief Al Giddings saying that there has been an annual increase of 7 to 9 percent in emergency calls since 2015. And in a recent letter to the CVN, Rob Miller alludes to the interference to cell phone coverage caused by cruise ships. Our own experience is that cell phone coverage becomes extremely unreliable when cruise ships enter northern Lynn Canal, in spite of antennae and power boosters. Connecting the dots between increased emergency calls and cruise ship interference with locals’ cell phones points out a serious public safety issue. If cell phones don’t work, 911 calls cannot be made.
Local services including internet and phone but especially emergency calls must not be degraded by cruise ships and their passengers. We request that the Haines Borough manager and assembly and the Public Safety Commission address this critical issue.