Hullwork -August, 2025

Hullwork - August, 2025

Hullwork is a monthly digest from the Coalition's Executive Director on the work that goes on 'beneath the waterline'  of our programming to maintain it, and keep it all afloat.

Hullwork – July 2025

This month was a busy one. This month, the Coalition and Foundation hosted the very first cohort of the Buoyant Beginnings Pre-Apprenticeship program, a 6-week course of technical, employability, safety, and workplace skills to help launch someone into a new career in the marine trades.

The program saw 16 pre-apprentices learn and grow into the last two weeks of the program, where they now report directly to job sites for work-shadowing experience with several marine trades partners on the waterfront. This month, Coalition staff assisted the Foundation’s staff with programming, logistics, some of the lessons for the group.

A few more of the notable things we worked on this month include:

1. The Coalition re-issued its Tariffs/Trade Impact Survey
2. We networked with other groups in Whatcom who are looking at preserving industrial lands, providing insight for our maritime trades and their needs of those lands.
3. We started to plan our Port Commissioner Candidate Forum, currently slated for October 9^th (more details to come soon!)
4. We have also started layout of our Candidate Pamphlet, which will go out around the same time, including the design as well as writing questions for it.
5. We’ve been networking on our Health Trust, looking to advertise it more this year and help it to grow. Want to know more about affordable benefits for your maritime business? Visit www.whatcomworkingwaterfront.org/health-trust
6. The Coalition networked with Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell regarding our tariff and trade policy impacts to the maritime industry. Using respondents from our survey, we have been able to share anecdotes and information on these impacts to key legislators and press, highlighting your stories and experiences. To all who have responded so far – thank you.
7. The Coalition was invited to a press conference call with Senator Murray, Premiere David Eby of British Columbia, and members of the press to speak to this issue. This was outreach from Senator Murray’s office, and represents the Coalition’s growing voice in the region being recognized as a resource and network to connect to our marine trades businesses. You can watch the comments we gave via the youtube link: Trade & Tariff Impacts in Maritime Businesses – Senator Murray Comments
8. The Foundation and Coalition travelled to San Francisco to meet and network with the Working Waterfront Coalition of the Bay Area, who host a work-training program for mariners and tradesmen, as well as comprehensive wrap-around services. The meeting highlighted the work being done up and down our Coast to address worker shortages and the lobbying for our maritime economy. Our staff gained a lot of good ideas, and some good network connections that can help boost the signals of our advocacy. You can check out their program at www.waterfrontjobs.com
9. We also continued to help plan and do outreach for the Whatcom Vessel Turn-in Program. The program helps derelict boat owners to properly dispose of their old vessel by providing services such as towing, scrapping, containment for chemicals and fuels, and more. So far, 29 vessels have been processed, with a few more in line. Today, Coalition staff is attending a media day at Landings at Colony Wharf to highlight the program. While the program is closed for applications and no more boats are being accepted – we hope to have this program back in the future. The program is a collaboration between many entities including the Dept. of Natural Resources, Dept. of Ecology, NW Straits Initiative, the Working Waterfront Coalition, and many others.

We’re looking at a busy August ahead of us, as well, as we start to hone in on fall, with upcoming festivals such as the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, Bellingham SeaFeast, Blaine Oyster Fest, Beats on the Bay, and more! 

Finally, a shout-out to all our members who are out on the water right now sailing, fishing, transporting, and recreating for the summer season. May you all have a safe August, and we’ll see you in September!

Dan Tucker
Executive Director
Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition