Waterfront Wednesday August 20, 2025
Waterfront Wednesday News
August 20, 2025
The first Buoyant Beginnings cohort to graduate. Photo: Buoyant Beginnings
Buoyant Beginnings Graduates First Cohort
Buoyant Beginnings Pre-Apprenticeship Program celebrated last week as the first cohort concluded their 6-week program, culminating in a 2-week work experience, and graduated the pre-apprenticeship program.
15 pre-apprentices, aged 18-29 who were un- or under-employed were able to shake hands with Rep. Alicia Rule, 42nd district, who was there for the graduation. The Representative expressed her excitement for the program, and her support for the work that our trades industries do to help vitalize the region.
The program, a collaboration between Lummi Nation and the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation, will run again next July, and Program Director Sierra Oliver says she looks forward to improving upon their successes next year.
To find out more about the program, visit the the link below:
Vessel Turn-In Program a Success
The first-ever Whatcom Vessel Turn-in Program was successful, and a media day on August 6 saw Port officials, representatives of local government, and members of the press meet the representatives from the various agencies involved in the program at Landings on Colony Wharf, a local Bellingham shipyard, to witness the breaking of the first vessel to be responsibly demolished and recycled.
The program aims to help prevent environmental hazards that derelict vessels can cause, as well for Whatcom, to help free up slips in a wait-listed marina.
Over 25 vessels were turned in, with services to help in disposing of hazardous materials and to recycle portions of the vessels where able. The program is part of the Department of Natural Resources, and in collaboration with the Dept. of Ecology, NW Straits Initiative, Whatcom MRC, Port authorities, local tribes and non-profits (including the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition), and local governments. In 2020, a spending cap for the program through Dept. of Natural Resources was lifted, allowing more programs and more vessels to be processed throughout the state.
Going forward, the aim of the program is to run every 3-4 years, so if you missed the chance to properly dispose of your derelict vessel this time around. Read more about it from the Bellingham Herald below:
The Landings at Colony Wharf helped dispose of the derelict vessels. Photo: Dan Tucker
A boat is moved at Seaview North shipyard. Working areas are vital to a waterfront's balance, and to regional affordability and cost of living.
Photo: Dan Tucker
Working Ports at the heart of downtown waterfronts
A recent op-ed in the Seattle Times highlights the need for better balance between working ports and the public spaces seen in downtown Seattle. The need for working waterfront infrastructure, the jobs they create, and the revenue they bring is being felt throughout waterfronts up and down our coast.
Read the op-ed by a Seattle Port Commissioner and staff via the link below:
MSC Open Forum
ForSea Solutions is hosting an upcoming MSC open forum on Saturday, August 23 at LOGE Camps in Westport, starting after 2 pm, followed by a happy hour (4–5 pm) and group dinner.
They hope to hear from WA crabber communities and other stakeholders who might be interested in gaining MSC certifications that open more foreign markets for certain types of seafood from our region.
This will be a relaxed, open-format gathering for crabbers and fishermen from Westport and surrounding areas where people can drop in, listen, and have informal conversations about MSC.
Invitations will be casual, extended to “whoever is at the docks that day” and others we can gather from the community. Please pass this around to anyone you may know who might be interested in attending.
More info is below:
Local Whatcom crabbers at Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Deb Granger
Bellingham Bay. Photo: Dan Tucker
Salish Sea Free-Friday at Whatcom Museum
Whatcom Museum is featuring a free first-friday on Sept. 5th about the Salish Sea and how it has shaped our region and way of life.
Each first Friday of the month, the Whatcom Museum will have free admission, extended hours until 9 pm, and special free programming! Each month, we’ll bring a different mix of artists, performers, and experts to lead workshops and activities for all ages.
View our local history, fine art, and Indigenous cultures exhibitions in the Lightcatcher and Old City Hall (don’t forget the birds!), visit the Family Interactive Gallery for special crafts and programs for children, and check out the calendar below to see the incredible events we’re lining up.
Whether you’re a longtime member of the Whatcom Museum or just visiting Bellingham for the weekend, we’ll have something for everyone on Free First Fridays, which are generously supported by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
WHEN: First Friday of every month from 12 – 9 pm (FIG hours: 10 am – 6 pm), beginning in January 2024; see calendar below for more details.
WHERE: Both Whatcom Museum exhibition spaces
Old City Hall | 121 Prospect St.
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St.
COST: FREE!
Slammin' Salmon Social Coming to Fairhaven
Save the date for a day of salmon‑inspired fun on
Sunday, September 14, 12-4pm! Enjoy free Puget Sound pink salmon tastings
and small bites while welcoming Northline Seafoods' vessel, The Hannah, and salmon processing back to Fairhaven docks. The Hannah is a vertically integrated freezer barge revolutionizing the way wild seafood is handled.
Plus, take a behind‑the‑scenes tour of their production facility inside the Arrowac building at the Fairhaven shipyard and learn more about how Northline Seafoods is changing the seafood industry.
Free and open to the community!
Northline Seafoods' 'Hanah'. Photo: Northline Seafoods
The site of the old GP Mill, now developed as mixed-use, and the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, which remains industrial. The study takes stock of available industrial lands amid planning for future needs. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Port Releases
Industrial Lands Study
The Port of Bellingham completed an industrial lands study to assess the current and future industrial land needs of Whatcom County’s manufacturing sector. It is the first study of its kind in Whatcom County and supports the Port’s broader mission to promote sustainable economic development, manage public land and facilities, and strengthen regional transportation and infrastructure.
The study, produced by consultants Maul Foster Alongi, provides a comprehensive look at how industrial land is currently being used across the county and whether the available supply is well positioned to support job growth and business investment over the next 20 years. It considers industry trends, land availability, infrastructure readiness, and projected employment growth through 2045.
Port Commission Meetings
Port Commissioners Open Meetings are held at the Port Admin Offices and are open to the public. Check the Agenda Center (Linked on each meeting time below) for posted agendas. Agendas typically get posted a week in advance of the scheduled meeting. Two periods of public comment occur each meeting before and after the agenda items, as well as special public hearings as designated on the agendas.
Location: Port Admin Offices, 1801 Roeder Ave, Bellingham
Port of Bellingham Agenda Center (check here for updated agendas)
Upcoming Meetings:
*In September, the Commission will resume bi-weekly meetings
Sept. 9th - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Sept. 23rd - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
Aug. 12- Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
July 24 - Board of Commissioner's Minutes
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
Customer Appreciation Day @ LFS
Weds, Aug 20, LFS (Squalicum Harbor)
Join the team at LFS for their annual customer appreciation day! Get deals from vendors, browse new inventory, and gear up for the coming seasons with expert advice and staff on hand to help you find what you need!
Sept. 13-21, Whatcom County
Whatcom Water Week is an annual community event that celebrates the water resources of Whatcom County. Water Week offers many different family-friendly events throughout the county with opportunities to have fun, learn, and make a difference. Learn More Here
Sept. 14, Fairhaven Shipyards
Save the date for a day of salmon‑inspired fun on Sunday, September 14, 12-4pm! Enjoy free Puget Sound pink salmon tastings and small bites as we welcome Northline Seafoods' vessel, The Hannah, and salmon processing back to Fairhaven docks. Free and open to the community—stay tuned for more details!
Sept. 27 / 28
Bellingham SeaFeast was started to highlight the local bounty harvested from the pristine waters of the Pacific Northwest! Immersed in the beautiful waterfront of Bellingham, SeaFeast offers unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich maritime culture that defines our coastal haven through a delectable selection of seafood.
Coalition Events:
Are You Hiring? Use the Coalition Job Board
The Coalition's
Job Board is free, contactless, and easy! We designed this board for our commercial fishermen, marine trades industries and other waterfront jobs in mind, to act as a digital bulletin board for crew positions, contract hires, or regular employee spots that you want to have a digital space for.
If you have any questions on using it, reach out to our staff, info@whatcomworkingwaterfront.org. To submit a job posting, use the link below:
Affordable Health Benefits
for Statewide Maritime Companies
The Working Waterfront Health Trust provides affordable pooled insurance health plans for qualifying marine-trades businesses -
state-wide. The Trust launched two years ago, has grown steadily each year and provides a range of health plans to consider through Premera Blue Cross.
If you'd like to know more about the Health Trust, contact your insurance broker today and ask them about the Working Waterfront Health Trust. Fall is the peak time to meet with your broker to discuss options for your employees for 2025.
This newsletter sponsored by:
Alta-Gas
Premera
Copyright 2024 Waterfront Wednesdays by Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition
Waterfront Wednesday is a publication
of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition.
www.whatcomworkingwaterfront.org
Do you have news about our waterfront?
Drop us a line and tell us about it.
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