Alaska Boats & Permits, Inc. was founded in 1997 in Homer, Alaska, by two small-boat fishermen, a retired librarian, and a recovering attorney, with a borrowed fax machine and a rolodex. We’ve come a long way since then, but we’re proud of our roots! Now, our family-run business consists of four brokers, an administrative assistant, a transaction coordinator, and an IT specialist.

Our brokers are Doug Bowen, founding partner and president; Doug’s daughters Maddie Lightsey and Molly Bowen; and Anne Hamilton, who has been with the firm since 2002. Cody Lightsey is our transaction coordinator, ensuring smooth transactions and timely closings. Pam Lightsey is our administrative assistant and the newest member of our team. Dave Swarthout, another founding partner, keeps our tech up and running from quasi-retirement in Thailand.

As a family business, we understand that your business decisions are among the most personal and important choices you make, and that everyone’s goals are different. We focus on making your business goals a reality by helping you navigate a process that can often seem daunting, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Because we’re a full-service brokerage, we’re able to see each transaction through to the end, without the need for third-party documentation or escrow services. We work directly with lenders, surveyors, and state and federal agencies including CFEC, NMFS/RAM, and the U.S. Coast Guard NVDC. We handle purchase agreements and applications, escrow, title search and lien payoff, marine documentation, mortgage recordation, and more. Since we handle everything in-house, we’re in control of the entire process and there are no additional fees involved.

Aside from brokering sales, we offer an array of services including EMTs, surviving spouse leases, and hired master applications; facilitation of private permit, quota, and boat sales; initial documentation on newly built boats; redocumentation of existing boats; estate liquidation; trades; and seller-financed sales. ‍

Commercial fishing is an ever-changing industry, but some things remain constant. Our favorite part of the business is the community we get to be a part of and the relationships we build. We look forward to working with you!