The Sitka Channel is a strait that separates Japonski Island

Japonski Island

Japonski Island, or Yak'w Kashaneixí, is a small island in the city of Sitka in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska, United States...

 from Baranof Island

Baranof Island

Baranof Island, also sometimes called Baranov Island, Shee or Sitka Island, is an island in the northern Alexander Archipelago in the Alaska Panhandle, in Alaska. The name Baranof was given in 1805 by Imperial Russian Navy captain U. F. Lisianski to honor Alexander Andreyevich Baranov...

 in Alaska

Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...

.

The Sitka Channel, or more commonly referred to as simply The Channel by locals, is a notable feature of Sitka, Alaska

Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...

 that separates vital portions of infrastructure located on the peripheral Japonski Island from the rest of the community. Until 1972 the commute was only achievable through a ferry service but in that year the John O'Connell Bridge

John O'Connell Bridge

The John O'Connell Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Sitka Channel located in Sitka, Alaska. The bridge connects the town of Sitka on Baranof Island to the airport and Coast Guard Station on Japonski Island. Until the bridge was completed in 1972 the commute was only achievable through a...

 was constructed (named after John W. O'Connell, a former mayor of Sitka).

The Sitka Channel features numerous wharfs, piers, seafood processing plants, and harbors serving its thriving seafood industries as well as port facilities for the United States Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...

 vessel USCG Maple

USCGC Maple (WLB-207)

The USCGC Maple is a 225-foot United States Coast Guard Seagoing Buoy Tender. The Maple is the seventh of 16 in the Juniper class and took the place of the decommissioned USCGC Woodrush....

.