If you have not taken the survey the Port of Seattle has been running to get feed back on the new bathroom facilities you might want to do it soon.  I just received a notice that it will draw to a close soon.

Here are the links you were looking for….

please take a few minutes and complete the project survey Restrooms/Laundry Facilities at Shilshole by December 11, 2015 and help shape the design

Ask a question or send the project team a message via Shilshole-Outreach@portseattle.org.

Look for a meeting summary at the What’s Ahead for Shilshole Bay Marina webpage.

Shilshole Bay Marina

There is a difference between liking/supporting  an organization and supporting all the policies of that organization.  I personally find the work that the Port of Seattle does to be remarkable.  The organization makes it possible for our City to have a world class shipping port and an airport that rivals  the best in the country.  Growth requires change and some alteration in policies.

With all due respect to the Port of Seattle, I do have some strong disagreements with recent changes regarding live aboard customers and non live aboard customers of Shilshole Bay Marina.

• The agreement between the Live Aboard community and the Port of Seattle is being disregarded by the Port with regard to the new policy of charging the new live aboard  customers $ 100.oo per-month.  This is a policy change I do not support.
• Charging “A fee of  $240.00 plus tax sales tax” for an additional vehicle/or a replacement sticker is a policy change that I find outrageous.  Raising the fee from $70.00 to $240.00 is an increase of 342%.
• An increase of 8% in slip fees over a period less than one year is unthinkable.
•  The leasehold tax has also been raised.    (please read the comment section concerning the Leasehold Tax, thanks Al for the clarification)
• Reduction of parking spaces of customers at the SBM to provide additional income to the Port is also a policy change, which I do not support.

It has been said to me by others, that expressing my views on these policy changes can be seen as being “anti-port” rhetoric, and not in the spirit or word of the Live Aboard agreement between the Port of Seattle, this causes me to ask myself,” am I not a customer of this marina and am I not paying for these changes in Port policies? Then why should I be silent in the face of outrageous hikes in fees and reduction of parking by the Port, if indeed these policies impact me and my family in an adverse way?”  I have heard comments from numerous members of the boating community express these concerns with vigor. Putting my name on these concerns and posting my concerns for the changes in policies has caused me to do a bit of a reality check.  Am I not entitled to express my thoughts without fear of retribution for my opinions?

As I have stated above,  I support the Port of Seattle efforts to improve the services at its various operations.  I do not support the way we here at Shishole Bay Marina are being “handled”.

I approve this message and invite alternative views on this subject.

Kristen R. Sierra

Customer and Tenant of Shilshole Bay Marina

On our recent return from a Spokane visiting to the grand kids, the first thing we saw was the colored lights on several boats.  It warmed our hearts….

This time of year can be hard.  Having the boats lighted seems to raise our moral.  It is great!  To add to the charm someone tied an evergreen wreath, complete with red ribbon and holly, to the fence near D/E Dock gate.  It is a wonderful addition to the otherwise winter drabs.

Here is to the  Season!!

Reminder…

The expansion and lease extension of Seaview Boatyard has been unanimously approved by Port of Seattle. The minutes will be posted on the Commission’s website-their link is on the right side of this page.

Thank you Al Hughes for attending and speaking at the Commission Special Meeting this afternoon.

I had never been to a Port of Seattle Commission Meeting, this will not be the last.

Seaview Boatyard Proposed Expansion

Seaview has put in a request to the Port of Seattle to expand their boatyard towards the water. This will allow larger commercial vessels in the boatyard for maintenance and will remove 1 row of parking in front of A/B/C docks (about 20 vehicles) that will be forced to park further north in D/E area.

Proposed Seaview Expansion Map

Continue reading →

It has been sometime since regular corrections and editing has been done on our site. As my knowledge and understanding of the site is still in the infant stages of development I trust that you will all bear with me as I learn how to correctly use all the tools.

I received a request for the following up dated information (please check out the updated links on the right side of this page)…

Port of Seattle-Shilshole Splash Newsletter

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=5c8b23d6ffbe2be83ed5b1e26&id=a07b2a6983

Washington Liveaboard Association

http://www.washingtonliveaboard.org/Pages/default.aspx

I hope this makes it easier for you to get to where you are going.

This will be the first of many posts!

Notes from the Dock Captain Meeting
Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

The New Interim Managing Director of the Seaport Division spoke the proposed Seaview Boatyard expansion. Seaview will take over one row of parking adjacent to the current fence at the west side of the yard. The lease goes before the Port of Seattle Commission in November. (The date is set currently for November 10, the meeting will start at 2pm. This according to Rosie Courtney, Manager Public Affairs 11-5-15.) The meeting is open to the public.

http://www.portseattle.org/About/Commission/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.portseattle.org/About/Commission/Meetings/2015/2015

Parking was discussed by Tracy, Shilshole Marina General Manager
Enforcement of the parking policy/permits is now underway.
Paid parking will be established next year (2016) as of now this will be in the non-permit areas.

Restrooms/Laundry/Paving was presented by Mark Longridge, Seaport Project Manager
The restroom design is still in negotiation with the architect which is why there was no public meeting in September 2015 regarding updates. When passed, he said that there will be a Public Meeting. Most likely in December 2015. It was further stated that the facilities are not expected to be completed until 2017.

Tracy, then gave the Marina Updates
The marina has been given permission to raise the number of liveaboard by 50, that makes the official number 350.

The “Clean Captain Program” which Tracy started a few months ago is for tenant boaters who comply with the current policies of: keeping the dock area clean, complying with the pump out requirements, keeping only non-flammable items in the dock box storage, and are in good standing with the marina.  You may claim the Clean Captain/Shilshole Burgee. For more information on the Burgee or the program see the staff at the marina office.

Passenger Ferry Service from Shilshole to Downtown Seattle is being discussed by the Port and the City of Seattle. Tracy said that this if it should happen will not affect marina as there are 150 parking spots on the street.

A bike rental program for the marina was suggested by a tenant.
When is WIFI coming to the marina? Tracy responded that not anytime soon, but it is being considered. A tenant mentioned that both Seattle Yacht Club outstations and Elliot Bay Marina have WIFI.

Shilshole Liveaboard Association Update:

Philp spoke on the Golden Gardens stairway to the dog park.  The drainage system is going to be rebuilt this winter. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/projects/golden_gardens/drainage.htm

Jim heads up the Shilshole Neighhorhood Communications Network which he re-states will be critical in times of emergency; ie who’s got water, generators, pets, medical training, etc. Get to know your neighbors, check on those that maybe boat-bound.

Check out the site:

http://www.shilsholebayneighborhood.org/

you can sign up for text alerts and the V-Man VHF radio-in every Monday at 8pm on VFH channel 71.  Kristen made laminated V-Man notices for each of the Dock Gates.  A Flag 71 that she had made was given to the marina to remind boaters about channel 71.

Security was addressed by Ray Blackwell

Report all suspicious activity, please call 206-602-4089. Emergencies: 911 ask the dispatcher to route your call to the Seattle Police.                                                         There is a defibrillator located in the Marina Office as well as all marina vehicle.

Please check the V-Man Net on Monday night at 8 o’clock,  see you there!