Waterfront Wednesday June 25, 2025
Waterfront Wednesday News
June 25, 2025
Port welcomes new Interim Director
The Port of Bellingham's Tiffany DiSimone moved into the Interim Director seat for the first time on June 17 for the Port Commission meeting. The Port recently parted ways with the former Director, and DiSimone will fill in the role as Interim Director while a larger community discussion and national search takes place to see who will take the permanent role going forward.
You may read about Interim Director DiSimone and learn about the Port's approach to finding a new permanent Director via the press release linked below:
Tiffany DiSimone has stepped from Director of Maritime to Interim Director of the Port of Bellingham. Photo: Port of Bellingham
Skilled tradesman works on a vessel at Seaview North. Photo: Dan Tucker
Annual Maritime Workforce Forum in Bellingham August 7
We are excited to partner with the Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology, Port of Bellingham, and several others for the 2025 Maritime Workforce Forum. The Maritime Workforce Forum, in its third year, has become a cornerstone industry event connecting our maritime stakeholders across the region in meaningful discussions on strategy, policy, and programming to further our maritime workforce capacity.
The 2025 agenda features regional ports, ship and boat building, maritime technologies, marine fuels, and a maritime education panel.
Love Your Waterfront higlights
Vessel Turn-In Program
"Love Your Waterfront" on KMRE 88.3 is a collaboration of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition, Bellingham SeaFeast, and community-powered radio. The show airs on KMRE 88.3 the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m., just after the 5:00 p.m. news.
This month's episode featured Dana Oster with the Northwest Straits Commission showcasing the free vessel turn-in program happening this July. Tune in via the Coalition's website for past episodes - or find us on SoundCloud and Spotify!
Commercial fishing vessels in Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Dan Tucker
Working Waterfronts Act
Re-introduced
The Working Waterfronts Act has been introduced again by Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) to provide provisions for the blue economy with supports for infrastructure, fishing and seafood processing, and managing the changing climate impacts to commercial fisheries.
The Senate Bill, originally introduced in February 2024, failed to advance in previous congressional sessions. The current bipartisan effort is supported by many individuals and organizations like the Working Waterfront Coalition and other national groups advocating for passage.
Read more on the Bill via the link below, and contact your senators and representatives to let them know how vital it is that this legislation advance.
LFS to celebrate annual
Customer Appreciation Day & Block Party
LFS hosts their annual Customer Appreciation Day Block Party on July 23 at their retail space at the corner of Roeder Ave and Coho Way.
The event features vendor booths, customer deals, food, music, and more. Community partners and supporters are all collaborating on the event to host a fun day of recognizing the community that works and recreates on our shores and on our waters.
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:
July 15th - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
June 17- Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
June 3 - Board of Commissioner's Minutes
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
Beach Clean-Up @ Cherry Point, Ferndale
July 6, 11:00 a.m., Cherry Point Beach (4601 Gulf Road)
Join Bellingham SeaFeast for a beach cleanup at Cherry Point Beach in Ferndale. We’ll meet at 11am and spend the morning caring for our shoreline and protecting local marine life. This free, family-friendly event is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while giving back to our beautiful Salish Sea. All cleanup supplies are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and wear closed-toe shoes. Pre-registration is required. Register HERE
Outboard Maintenance 102 - Bosun's Workshop
July 12, 12-3:00 p.m., Fairhaven
Join Bosun's Workshop for a primer workshop on basic outboard maintenance. Continue on the foundations from the 101 course. This workshop is hosted by Calen Mehrer, Captain of Schooner Zodiac. To inquire or reserve a spot, email info@bosunsworkshop.org
LFS Customer Appreciation Block Party
July 23, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
LFS is hosting their annual customer appreciation and 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, 6-9:00 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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