Waterfront Wednesday July 23, 2025
Waterfront Wednesday News
July 23, 2025
Race Week Kicks Off
The debut of Race Week in Bellingham kicked off with a steady 16-18 knot breeze in Bellingham Bay on Monday. Seven fleets comprised of ORC, PHRF, and One Design sailboats race each day with heats beginning daily at 11 a.m.. Anyone with a view of Bellingham Bay will catch a view of the fleet.
The event recently moved to Bellingham from Anacortes. The Fisherman's Pavilion is the site for the race event headquarters for the week. Please read about the event and find out more information via the link below:
Photos from the first day of Race Week - Bellingham. Photos: RaceWeekPNW
LFS celebrates first annual
Squalicum Block Party today
The First Annual Squalicum Harbor Block Party, hosted by LFS, happens today. The entire community is invited to join the celebration of our thriving maritime economy (from commercial fishing to recreation) with LFS and partner organizations.
Free Hot Dog Lunch, vendor booths, onsite radio station, and more! Get your Passport to the harbor stamped and entered for significant prizes!
Bring your friends and family down to Bay, visit the Coalition and Bellingham SeaFeast booths, and catch the fun at the first LFS Block Party!
We hope to see you there!
Port Commissioners approve moving the 5-commissioner proposal ahead; calls for committee participants
The Port of Bellingham Commissioners voted on July 15 to place a measure on the November Ballot, expanding the commission to five seats.
Now, the Port is issuing a request to the community for helping to craft the "for and against" summaries to be included in the measure on the ballot.
Check out the call for applications to serve on the committee to draft the information via the link below:
The Port of Bellingham has two commissioner seats up for re-election this year, and the candidates were recently highlighted in an article from Cascadia Daily News.
Michael Shepard and Ken Bell's seats are on the ballot, and both incumbents are running. Michael will run unopposed this year, while two candidates seek Ken Bell's seat in the primary.
The Working Waterfront Coalition will host a candidate forum for the final running candidates after the Primary Election. Stay tuned for announcements and information.
You may read the article in the Cascadia Daily News about the candidates at the link below.
Port Commissioners debate expansion. Photo: Finn Wendt, Cascadia Daily news
The new map of district names for USCG operational districts. Graphic: USCG
Coast Guard Re-names Districts
The US Coast Guard recently re-drafted the names of their districts, moving away from the numbered districts that have been in place for decades. The new system uses regional names to identify the districts, and is seen by many to be more straightforward.
You can read more via the link below:
Bellingham SeaFeast introduces feature artist Jim Dixon for 2025
Bellingham SeaFeast proudly announces this year's featured artist, Jim Dixon.
From Bellingham Seafeast's newsletter, "Jim is a Bellingham native, Western Washington University graduate, and multi-disciplinary artist whose work bridges local legacy and global acclaim."
You may purchase your own limited-edition, hand-carved linocut burnished onto a traditional Sumi-e paper. Only 100 signed prints will be available.
To get your print and help support Bellingham SeaFeast and our seafood industry, visit the link below:
Bellingham SeaFeast Linoprint by Jim Dixon
A conveyor loads wood chips at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. Photo: Port of Bellingham
How many chips?
How many chips could a chips ship ship, when a chips ship does ship chips?
The Port of Bellingham recently loaded two barges with approximately 4000 metric tons of woodchips from Sierra Pacific purchased by Domtar for the Crofton Mill on Vancouver Island BC. The scope of the operation employed the majority of Bellingham local ILWU (longshore workers) and generated approximately $19,000 in wages. The cargo was stockpiled predominantly in Warehouse #2 at Bellingham Shipping Terminal and the cargo was loaded in two days (four working shifts).
The work is a result of ongoing projects to modernize the shipping terminal to accept more and varied cargoes. Read more on the shipping terminal via the link below:
Fireboat Moku Ahi
visits Bellingham
Historic Fireboat M/V Moku Ahi is in port this week at Squalicum Harbor. Captain Ryan Davis, owner of Legato Maritime, intends the vessel to begin a new life in the Northwest training mariners and marine service technicians onboard.
The vessel also heads out to help escort the tribal canoe journey on July 25th providing support for the journey through Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
Find out more at Legato Maritime's website, linked below:
M/V Moku Ahi. Photo: Dan Tucker
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:
August 12th - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
July 15- Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
June 17 - Board of Commissioner's Minutes
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
LFS Squalicum Block Party
July 23, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
LFS is hosting their 1st annual Squalicum community block party on July 23rd at the head of Squalicum Harbor! Drop by for vendor deals, booths, food, and more! This annual celebration seeks to highlight the community that helps to support LFS and our working & recreational waterfront.
Knife Sharpening - Bosun's Workshop
August 12, 6 - 9 p.m., Fairhaven
Join Bosun's Workshop for a knife-sharpening workshop. Learn the different types of blades, how to sharpen them, and best tips and tricks to keep your cutting tools ready. This workshop is hosted by Calen Mehrer, Captain of Schooner Zodiac. To inquire or reserve a spot, email info@bosunsworkshop.org
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
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