Category Archives: Cruising

Topics about Washington/Canada cruising sites/harbors/points of interest

Canada opens Aug 9th

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As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel. This preliminary step allows for the Government of Canada to fully operationalize the adjusted border measures ahead of September 7, 2021, and recognizes the many close ties between Canadians and Americans.

Canada Border Services Agency News Release

Are you or a neighbor headed to Alaska this summer?

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With Canada still closed (and most likely will be the rest of the summer), those looking to cruise to Alaska have questions about transiting through Canada.  Though the rules that govern their Covid restrictions (stops/fuel, food/rest) are strict (and confusing), it can be done.  Just do your homework.  Here is a graphic that shows the procedures…

20210308-process-diagram-covid-and-canada-boating-borders

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/border#waters

State proposes doubling annual boater’s excise tax!

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Update: Because so many boaters, boating businesses and Senate leaders spoke up, the Senate removed any increase to the Watercraft Excise Tax in their Senate budget. We are turning off the action-alert campaign at this time. NMTA

This is something that affects all of us boaters so please take a moment to review this message from the Northwest Marine Trade Assoc. and the Recreational Boating Assoc. of Washington

All Boaters,

This morning I testified before the Senate Transportation Committee opposing a new proposal to double the watercraft excise tax. This is the tax Washington boaters pay annually when they register their boats.

Boaters are the only user group that pay an excise tax and we think it is unfair and inappropriate to increase this tax.

The funds from this Vessel Excise Tax go directly into the state general fund.

Please take action now and let our state senators know you do not support this increase. It only takes one minute! Click this LINK now to send a message to your state senator.

Sincerely,

George Harris

NMTA President/CEO

Life jacket survey

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from the Washington State Parks Boating Program….

Life jacket survey for recreational boaters:

Do you have three minutes to spare? As a recreational boater, your feedback matters.
In recent years, Washington state legislators have proposed potential bills to address gaps in recreational boating safety and education. The Washington State Parks Boating Program would like your feedback about one of those recent proposals — mandatory life jacket wear on human-powered watercraft.
The survey is five questions, your answers are confidential and no personally identifying questions are asked.  Take the survey

Thank you for your time, we appreciate the feedback.

About the Washington State Boating Program
Washington State Parks administers the state’s Boating Program, which provides leadership in boating safety and environmental education and outreach. The program is funded primarily by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through federal grants. The goal of the program is to reduce accidents and fatalities, increase stewardship of Washington waterways, and keep recreational boating a safe, accessible and enjoyable pastime. For more information on the Boating Program, visit: http://www.washingtonstateparks.us/Boating

Seattle Boat Show Seminars this weekend…

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Seattle Boat Show Connected features four days of boating, fishing and Boat Show University seminars – over 100 hours of original content for boaters! Watch seminars live, streaming on the site, and chat and interact with other viewers and presenters. Plus, at most levels of registration, you can re-watch seminars if you missed them the first time.

Boating and fishing seminars are 40 minutes in length and there are 68 to choose from. Boat Show University seminars take a deeper dive into northwest boating topics and are two hours in length with 15 to choose from.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT BOATING SEMINAR SCHEDULE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD & PRINT FISHING SEMINAR SCHEDULE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD & PRINT BOAT SHOW UNIVERSITY SCHEDULE (PDF)

 

WA State Parks Boating Guide Survey

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Please see the notice and survey below from the Washington State Parks….

Ahoy, boaters!

Can you spare a few moments?

Did you know that Washington State Parks manages 19 marine state parks and numerous parks with boating access, such as freshwater lakes and marine shorelines?

We’re looking to publish a comprehensive Boating Guide to give you more information about these parks, such as what types of moorage are available, what kinds of amenities can be found, how much it costs for overnight moorage and more.

But before we proceed, we’d like to know if there’s a genuine interest from boaters like you.

Please fill out our survey and let us know if you’d be interested in a Washington State Parks Boating Guide.

The survey takes just 5 minutes. By filling it out, you are eligible to win a free life jacket. Deadline to complete the survey is Friday, Jan. 15.

Thank you!

Toni Weyman Droscher | Communications & Social Media
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
m. 360-790-8745
e. toni.droscher@parks.wa.gov

Pumpout Survey

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The Washington State Parks Boating Program is helping the Washington Department of Ecology distribute a survey to recreational boaters in Washington. The survey asks for your opinion on messaging and graphics created for boaters about sewage management rules.

Your answers are confidential, and no personally identifying questions are asked. Take the survey by visiting https://confidential-survey.com/datafile/2B.htm.