Words from the waterfront | Walking the docks

Published 1:30 am Friday, April 6, 2018

One of the things that surprises a lot of people when visiting Poulsbo is discovering that they are welcome, and even encouraged to “walk the docks.”

The Port of Poulsbo marina serves two different sets of boaters; one section is used for visiting guest boaters, and the other is for permanent moorage.

The guest or transient side of the marina is open to all. It has two docks, “E” and “F.” Those are the public access docks directly below the waterfront park. Don’t just lean on the rail along the park walkway, go down the ramp and explore!

As you walk down the ramp, you will see the fuel dock to your left. The fuel dock is open to all boaters, as is the pump-out station there. During the busy boating season, there is a steady stream of boats in and out of the fuel dock, taking on fuel and pumping the waste out of their holding tanks. The waste then goes into the city sewer system, helping keep Liberty Bay clean.

The port administration offices are on the right as you step off the ramp. Visiting boaters check in there upon arrival, register with the port staff and pay for the slip in which they docked and for electrical usage. Dock walkers do not need to check in or pay. Even so, the staff is more than happy to answer any questions you may have. All port business is conducted in this small, floating building.

A few steps past the fuel dock is the floating multi-purpose room. This room is available for yacht clubs and others to hold potluck dinners, meetings and a variety of activities. There is also a “party dock” that can be moved throughout the marina for different events and is used by visiting yacht clubs. Often a tent will be erected on it, and there is a barbecue available for use, along with a picnic table and folding chairs.

During the busy summer months, nearly every weekend is booked by yacht clubs and other boating groups for rendezvous or sail-ins. More often than not, more than one group is there at a time, as well as individuals who come by boat to visit Poulsbo. These boating groups come from all over the region — south from Olympia and Shelton and north from Bellingham and Everett, and all points in between. Many times you will see a red maple leaf flag flying off onboard a visiting boat from Canada; occasionally you will see boats from other parts of the world, cruisers who have made their way to the Pacific Northwest. Boaters are a friendly lot, so if you see a flag flying that you don’t recognize, ask! You will likely end up having a very interesting conversation.

There is one thing to remember however, when walking the docks: Always respect the privacy of those aboard the boats. Don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation, but no matter how tempted you are, don’t peer in the windows or touch; boats are essentially homes on the water, even if just a weekend home.

If you walk all the way out to the end of the docks, you will have a great view of Liberty Bay. So what about all those boats you see anchored out there? Do they pay to anchor? No. Anchorage throughout Washington state is free. The port encourages anchored boaters to tie their dinghies to the dinghy dock free of charge at the port so that those boaters can enjoy the town, dine out and shop. Those same visiting boaters can access, for free, the pump-out station at the fuel dock, or if they choose they now have the option of having a pump-out boat service them while at anchor, thanks to the Port of Poulsbo and Liberty Bay marina, who have jointly contributed resources to the mobile pump out service, Terry & Sons. Every vessel, guest and permanent, moored at the port marina pays an environmental fee to help subsidize this service in an effort to clean up Liberty Bay.

So the next sunny weekend, plan a trip to the Port of Poulsbo. Walk the docks, chat up a few boaters. Watch for seaplanes landing or taking off. It’s a vibrant, fun place to visit on a busy weekend.

— Pamela Benson, Poulsbo Boaters Association, SV Spirit of Freedom, C-Dock.