WA360 Paddle/Peddle/Sail race around Puget Sound

Posted on by

….with no motors allowed!  This race started this past Monday and has a 2 week time limit.  It was created in lieu of the Race to Alaska that has been so popular the last couple years (but temp cancelled till Canada opens).

This is 360 miles around the sound, Port Townsend, Olympia, Bellingham, Point Roberts and back to PT.  Read more and follow the boats here…

Follow WA360 | Northwest Maritime Center (nwmaritime.org)

plunder

Posted on by

Monday another vehicle in the Shilshole parking lot got burglarized and had it`s catalytic converter stolen. We are under siege. The port has options available to combat this scourge but has not taken them.
Nor will they until we the tenants make it uncomfortable for the commissioners and the staff. One option is to salt the parking lot with the cars most targeted by catalytic converter thieves. Equip those cars with silent alarms connected to receivers in the Ports security vehicles.
The other option is to file claims against the Ports insurance carrier. The price we pay for moorage implicitly includes security for our personal property. Make the price of ignoring security for our vehicles expensive enough for the port and they will take steps to control they’re cost.
I will welcome other suggestions to this forum. Thanks. Dan Kruzich.

Parking lot disruption

Posted on by

Beginning next week, the Port will be painting/striping the section of parking lot just south of the admin building and north of the new M3 restroom, and they have put up signage to be out by Sunday the 16th.  This means all those cars from that area will likely be parking to the south (closer to the old M2 restroom and in front of E/D docks), making available parking very scarce.

Make sure your 2021 parking sticker is in your window as the Port will be ticketing and may tow any improperly parked vehicles.  Any concerns should be directed to the Marina’s 24/7 cell phone 206-601-4089.

Are you or a neighbor headed to Alaska this summer?

Posted on by

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!

Posted on by

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