Installation of new breakwater could begin in July 2021

Published 1:30 am Friday, February 23, 2018

Looks like a cold spring is on the horizon, which hopefully will not discourage the return of visiting boaters to the Port of Poulsbo Marina. The next Port Commission meeting is planned for 7 p.m. March 1. All port meetings are open to the public.

Winter Rendezvous: It is reported that this year’s event was extremely successful. The marina’s guest moorage was nearly at capacity, with only room for really small boats. There were no complaints about anything … great work by port staff.

Seattle Boat Show: The Port of Poulsbo participated in the Seattle Boat Show, which concluded several weeks ago. Interestingly, many of the inquiries of our port’s staff and volunteer helpers at the show concerned availability of permanent moorage. Apparently, an improving economy has stirred greater interest in recreational vessels too large for trailering. Few would disagree with the observation that Liberty Bay and Poulsbo are exceptional homeport venues. This would also bode well for increased guest slip occupancy for the boating season now beginning to pick up. Even with a booth fee of $5,000 for the Boat Show, money was well spent to promote our waterfront community.

Liberty Bay sinking: You may not have noticed … a small power boat anchored in Liberty Bay near the marina recently sank. Quick responses by port personnel, the fire district, and the U.S. Coast Guard prevented greater environmental damage. The Coast Guard’s commercial contractor collected around 25 gallons of gasoline. The boat was put on a trailer and is finally gone.

On a slightly different subject, the occasional derelict boat is still a problem here in Poulsbo. Of the two derelicts recently at the marina, one has been removed by its owner. Port moorage on the second vessel has been terminated, and once declared “abandoned,” it will be removed and destroyed by the port.

Staff and committee assignments: The current management structure at the port is being revisited, with a view toward greater efficiency and customer satisfaction. One idea considers a consolidated position for business management and customer service; and a separate management role of harbormaster and maintenance. Additionally, three special subcommittees have been established. The Marketing Subcommittee will investigate ideas for promoting Poulsbo and the marina beyond North Kitsap. Titles for the two other subcommittees explain the nature of their Maintenance and Capital Improvements, and Tenant and Guest Services.

Each commissioner has volunteered to serve on a committee, investigate community interest in participation, and report back to the full board. Members of the public interested in serving on a committee should contact the Port Office.

Grant funding for capital improvements: The port applied for funding for the dilapidated boat ramp back in 2016. With grant money now expected, the ramp’s rehabilitation will be in the port’s 2019 Capital Improvement Program. Also, funds received under the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, designated specifically for guest moorage, are still being used to tie up loose ends through June, such as updating necessary signage and replacing the potable water system on E Dock.

Breakwater replacement timeline: Readers of The Scuttlebutt are well aware of the major capital improvement project ahead for the port’s marina. Replacing the rotting creosote breakwater with a floating dock system — quite costly — will accomplish numerous goals. This project includes engineering, permit applications, grants and other funding, bids and contractors, and finally … installation. The engineering side of the project has been underway for many months. Most recently, the port has targeted installation to begin around July 2021.

Port quiz: The last Scuttlebutt’s nautical term was a phrase from World War II: “whole nine yards.” One response from Doug Murray of Poulsbo reflected his Scottish landlubber roots. “For a Scotsman like me, it undoubtedly refers to the amount of fabric used in making a Highlander’s great kilt.” However, nowadays, the term means “all of it.” During WWII, tailgunners had ammunition belts 27 feet long. When he ran out of ammo, he would report to the cockpit that he had fired the “whole nine yards.”

How about a new term, slightly outside traditional nautical terminology: “face the music?” Send your best guess on this military term to commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com. The first response with the correct answer will be recognized in The Scuttlebutt’s next issue.

Got a naval term to offer? Don’t be shy … you too can contribute to our community’s nautical heritage and The Scuttlebutt.

Free pubs: Each month, two entertaining and informative publications are delivered to the port for free distribution to the public. “48 North, the Sailing Magazine,” and “Northwest Yachting,” for power boaters, are available from the sliding window on the marina side of the bathhouse (near the ramp to the docks). Each reports boating events scheduled throughout the Northwest, and discusses issues of interest to the boating community … and as previously noted, they are free.

Port email list: The port’s email list enables the port’s executive director and staff to efficiently contact marina boaters, visitors, and port district residents. If you would like to be on our contact list, please send your name, contact information, and email address to manager@portofpoulsbo.com.

Port invitation: The commissioners, employees, residents, and guests of the Port of Poulsbo (www.portofpoulsbo.com), one of 75 Washington state ports, wish you a safe visit to Poulsbo’s spectacular Waterfront Park, and a safe transit on Liberty Bay. Bring your friends and families down to the port’s marina and greet our staff and visiting boaters on E and F docks. (Watch us by webcam at www.siteground315.com/~longship/.)

Port commissioners meet twice monthly to discuss issues and review policies. These meetings are open to the public. Mark your calendar for 1900 (7 p.m.) the first and third Thursdays, and come down to the port’s floating conference room to find out what’s going on in the Poulsbo Port District.

— Stephen L. Swann is a member of the Port of Poulsbo Board of Commissioners. Contact him at commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com