By STEPHEN L. SWANN
Herald columnist

Is it early spring, or what? While my friends back east shovel snow, I went kayaking in Liberty Bay last week!

The port is preparing for a busy February, as more and more boaters come to check out Viking City.

Big news for our visitors and residents at the port’s marina: the mayor’s office announced in recent days a brand new “loop” bus service here in Poulsbo. Now, one can easily connect by bus from the port and downtown to destinations such as Olympic College, Walmart, Home Depot, the Highway 305 Transfer Center (with buses to the ferry), Viking Way stores, the library, Central Market, and Poulsbo Village.

Bus No. 44 is expected to run every half hour. Check out the schedule and route map at www.cityofpoulsbo.com.

BOAT GUY IN FEBRUARY. Come down to the marina and welcome the “Boat Guy” on Feb. 6-8. The port — and the entire city — have hoped to make Chip Hanauer’s visit an annual event, which is happening.

The 2014 Winter Rendezvous was spectacular … even a little snow failed to dampen spirits. The 2015 Winter Rendezvous Part Deux will be even better. Several Web sites provide details, including www.portofpoulsbo.com’s “Calendar.” Here’s the program:

Feb. 7

— Poker Run (seven locations)

— 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Pickled Herring Expo, Marina Market.

— Noon: Libation Station, Sons of Norway.

— 2-4 p.m.: Glogg Fest (seven downtown locations).

— 7 p.m.: Dancing and entertainment, Sons of Norway.

— 7 p.m.: Whiskey Tasting, Hare and Hounds.

SEATTLE BOAT SHOW. The boat show has come and gone, and the Port of Poulsbo for the second year has actively participated with a booth. A special thanks is extended to the volunteers from Poulsbo who helped out port staff manning our booth.

EMPLOYEES’ UNION. The Teamsters and the port continue to work to finalize a collective bargaining agreement outlining employment criteria for our employees. In recent days, the port has submitted its draft agreement for review by the union.

MARINA BOAT-HOUSES. In mid-January, members of the public appeared before the Port Commission to share various views on the private sale of marina boathouses and transfer of slips with boathouses.

Most attending the hearing agreed that the value of boathouses — personal property belonging to boaters — is significantly enhanced if the boat slip is included by the port in the deal with the boathouse buyer.

Letters and emails with views from members of the community — Poulsbo voters and marina residents alike — should be sent to port Executive Directive Brad Miller. Port commissioners will continue to discuss slip assignability for boathouse sales, and additional public hearings may be scheduled.

LIVEABOARDS. The city’s “neighborhood meeting” to consider liveaboard expansion at the marina us scheduled on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers.

DERELICT VESSELS. On Jan. 29, a two-hour meeting was conducted at City Hall to review community concerns regarding abandoned boats in Liberty Bay and surrounding waters. Representatives of Washington state, Kitsap County, several port districts including Poulsbo, and Poulsbo’s mayor and police chief attended. The M/V Queen of Sheba “escapades” from Thanksgiving weekend were at the top of the list of topics.

(Readers of the Herald may recall that the Queen of Sheba, after being dropped off and anchored in the bay, grounded at least twice and collided with another boat before being temporarily moored at the port’s dock.)

Abandoned vessels in Liberty Bay can threaten our waters, with various risks to the community. Examples include risks of pollution, navigation hazards, and damage to marinas and other boats.

In Washington state, the Derelict Vessel Removal Program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Damage to the environment, the community, and the taxpayer can run into the millions of dollars. Even with the DNR policy of refunding ninety percent of removal costs, the expenses associated with the remaining 10 percent could be staggering.

One important step that can be taken by the City of Poulsbo and the Port is the formulation of a Derelict Vessel Protocol to streamline procedures for responding to the next Queen of Sheba “event.”

PORT QUIZ: Last month, The Scuttlebutt asked if you have been “bamboozled.” Its derivation is from seafarers’ lingo … so what did it originally mean? “Bamboozle” means to deceive another, and its origin is from the trick of flying a national ensign other than the flag of the ship’s home country, commonly done by pirates.

Many readers know or have known an admiral in the naval service. However, got any idea from where this title came? Send your best “guess” 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.

PORT INVITATION. The commissioners, employees, tenants 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/.)

Also, port commissioners meet twice monthly to talk with district residents, marina tenants, and others from the community. Mark your calendar for the first and third Thursdays, 1900 (7 p.m.), and come down to the port’s floating conference room.

— Stephen L. Swann is a Poulsbo port commissioner. Contact him at commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com.