Petersburg Pilot -

The Salty Dog yacht rally scheduled to stop through Petersburg and Wrangell this month has been canceled, and Chamber of Commerce officials in both communities are hoping to get the money back they paid to the rally’s organizers.

The boat rally consists of groups of boaters that signed up to visit various towns across Alaska this summer with Wrangell being the last stop.

Salty Dog founder Dawny Pack emailed the communities to let them know the event would be postponed until next year.

Petersburg and Wrangell chambers each paid Salty Dog organizers $2000 and had planned community events for the yachters.

Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Director Cindi Lagoudakis said she received notification of the cancelled event about a week and half ago.

“We asked for the refund about a week and a half ago and gave her until the end of June,” Lagoudakis said.

Lagoudakis said the chamber is interested in hosting a rally in the future.

Wrangell Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cyni Waddington also requested a refund.

“That was money that we allotted for 2014 not for 2015,” Waddington said. “The board would have to reconsider if they would like it for next year. This year, we’re seeking a refund.”

Lagoudakis said Salty Dog organizer Dawny Pack has responded that she’s received their request but has not indicated whether or not the communities will receive a refund.

Pack said eight of the 16 boaters didn't receive a clean bill of health from their doctors, and her organization wasn't prepared to take on the health liabilities. Pack added that she will be refunding all communities involved.