Expanding a Family Legacy on the Water
A trusted local tour company sets sail toward growth with support from the Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium and Northrim Bank.
Founded in 2016 by lifelong Southeast Alaska resident and U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain Joardan Stewart Savland, Hoonah Whale Tours offers small-group whale watching experiences for cruise passengers visiting Hoonah. Raised on the waters of Southeast Alaska and shaped by years of commercial fishing and service with the Alaska State Troopers Marine Division, Joardan built the business around local knowledge, safety, and deep respect for the marine environment he has known since childhood. Each tour reflects that lived experience, from navigating the dynamic waters of Icy Strait to sharing stories of the wildlife and coastline that define his hometown.
As visitor numbers in Hoonah continued to grow, including a record 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2025, demand for Hoonah Whale Tours quickly outpaced the capacity of its six-passenger vessel, the M/V Thor. To meet growing demand while preserving a close-to-the-water experience, Joardan sought financing to expand operations. Northrim Bank partnered with the Alaska Small Business Development Center’s Tribal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Consortium at the University of Alaska Anchorage to support the project.
Through the Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium program, a 50% loan guarantee enabled Northrim Bank to issue a loan to fund construction of a custom 38-foot, 14-passenger aluminum catamaran built by ACI Boats. The credit support reduced risk and made the expansion possible, allowing Joardan to design a vessel purpose-built for wildlife viewing, with a full walk-around deck, large windows, comfortable seating, onboard restroom, and space for guests to safely view whales from every angle.
“Northrim is proud to support Hoonah Whale Tours in expanding its locally guided, small group experiences. The SSBCI Tribal Consortium loan guarantee made it possible to quickly finance this new vessel, help grow a homegrown business, create local jobs, and share Hoonah’s marine environment with visitors for years to come.” – Jason Criqui, Chief Banking Officer, Northrim Bank
Scheduled to launch in spring 2026, the new vessel will more than double passenger capacity while continuing to prioritize small-group tours, capped at 14 guests. The expansion is projected to increase revenue by 95% and create at least one new full-time position, strengthening the local economy while maintaining the hands-on, locally guided experience that has defined Hoonah Whale Tours since its beginning.
For Joardan and his family, whose roots in Hoonah trace back generations, the growth represents more than a business milestone. It reflects a commitment to sharing Southeast Alaska’s marine environment in a way that is personal, respectful, and deeply connected to place, one tour at a time.
“It’s been great working with Northrim bank. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to use the SSBCI program. It was very easy to navigate and we can’t wait to get our new boat in the water.” – Joardan Stewart Savland, Owner, Hoonah Whale Tours
As reflected on hoonahwhaletours.com, Hoonah Whale Tours is proudly owned and operated by Alaskans. This expansion allows the team to welcome more visitors while continuing to offer small, locally guided experiences on the waters of Icy Strait, where no two tours, and no two moments, are ever the same.
