Waterfront Wednesday June 3, 2026
Waterfront Wednesday News
June 3, 2026
What's next for Bellingham's waterfront?
Cascadia Daily News recently published the second part of their ongoing series, 'Sea Change', exploring different waterfronts around Washington state that are similar to Bellingham's, and ruminating on what the future of our waterfront development could be.
Read the latest article from Cascadia via the link below:
The Coalition's Executive Director recently visited Port Vendres in Spain, which offers a highly integrated working waterfront that celebrates the trades and connection to working infrastructure. Photo: Dan Tucker
The majority of new-tonnage-build bulk transportation vessels world-wide are now alternatively fueled, meaning they use either a hybrid system, or rely on fuels such as ammonia, LNG, or other product that isn't traditional fuel-oil. The transition is the largest change of technology since the switch from sail to steam with regulation racing to keep pace with new innovation. Photo: Port of Seattle
Bridging the gap to clean fuels
A recent article in the Salish Current discusses the future of maritime fuels as the NW Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle push hard to upgrade infrastructure for the future of maritime operations.
Once a mono-fuel industry where diesel did all, the future sees different fuels for different scopes of operation and makes use of existing technology and infrastructure to use cleaner-burning fuels like Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). These alternative fuels bridge the road to the future as industry works on scaling and efficiency for newer fuels that may not be quite ready for wide deployment yet.
Read the article by Tom Banse, below:
Historic Fisherman's Wharf faces pressure from development
San Francisco is often related as a cautionary tale of waterfront development where tourism and non-water-reliant businesses have displaced working trades and water-reliant operations.
Recently, National Fisherman included a short article on the ongoing pressures at one of the last remaining facilities in San Francisco for commercial fisherman - Fisherman's Wharf.
As we seek to envision the future of our waterfronts here in the Northwest, it is important to look at other waterfronts elsewhere, and understand the challenges and pressures they have. The decisions that have been made then impact their vitality, the overall affordability and accessibility of the region for trades industries.
Read the article via the link below:
Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Photo: Shutterstock, via National Fisherman
Solstice Splash with Community Boating Center
Join the Community Boating Center for their biggest Solstice Splash celebration and fundraiser yet! Celebrate the longest day of the year with sailing, paddling, and waterfront fun on Bellingham Bay, guided by CBC's talented youth sailors and instructors.
Enjoy live music, giant bubbles, raffle prizes, and try your hand at our first-ever dunk tank for the chance to send a few CBC staff members swimming (we're scared).
Tickets include a meal from Sammies Vegan and a beverage coupon for you to take in the view from our beer garden (21+), with beer, wine, mocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages available (Kiddo friendly areas available as well!) Last year, CBC provided more than 20,000 youth participant hours on the water, and every ticket purchased helps support scholarships, youth programs, and free community enrichment opportunities.
Address:
Community Boating Center
555 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Time / Date:
June 19th
4:30 8:00 p.m.
Public Comment open for GP West Clean-Up site
The Department of Ecology has opened the next public comment period for the Bellingham waterfront with the GP West Clean-Up site.
Comments can be made from June 1, through July 1, online or through engagement activities. There will be a walking tour and a public open house on June 10th.
June 10: Walking Tour & Open House
RE Sources, a local nonprofit organization, will host a walking tour of the site, followed by an open house hosted by Ecology. Staff from Ecology and the port will be available to answer questions.
- Walking Tour: 3:30 - 5 p.m. - Please prepare for a 1-mile unpaved loop. Register: www.re-sources.org/2026/05/gp-west-tour/. The walking tour is funded by an Ecology Public Participation Grant.
- Open House: 5 - 7 p.m. - Stop by to talk with us and learn about the site. While no formal presentation is planned, handouts and visuals will be available.
- Location - Find us at the white tent at the Portal Container Village on W Laurel St.
You can read more from Dept. of Ecology and see the Consent Decree and Public Engagement Plan via the links here:
Graphic of the clean up plan. Courtesy Dept. of Ecology
Blue Drinks hosts tour of Bellingham Shipping Terminal
Join the Working Waterfront Coalition for a tour of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal with the Port of Bellingham's terminal staff and economic development team.
Hear what's next for the terminal, learn about the modernizations and clean up, and share your thoughts and ideas. Afterwards, the tour will end at Trackside for drinks at Kulshan and further discussion.
This event is FREE and open to the public - meet in front of the container village and trackside at 5 p.m. Walking tour starts from there at 5:15 p.m., and returns to Kulshan Trackside at
6 p.m.
Crew Share app links
opportunities on the water
Crew Share is a new platform connecting commercial fishing captains and crew throughout Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California.
Built by fishermen, for fishermen, Crew Share provides a direct and efficient way for captains to find qualified crew and for crew members to find employment opportunities - without getting bogged down sifting through social media posts, comment threads, and outdated listings.
In addition to crew placement, Crew Share offers industry-specific classifieds for vessels, gear, equipment, electronics, hydraulics, permits, and quota.
Their mission is simple: strengthen the commercial fishing workforce and make it easier for people in the industry to connect.
You can check out the app's webpage via the link below:
Captains and potential crew members connect at the annual "Crew Connections' event in February, hosted by the Coalition. The Crew Share app furthers the opportunities for crew to get connected online, which in turn, further enhances all opportunities to connect - whether in person, or virtual.
F/V Alaskan Girl. The vessel will host internship opportunities for college credit. Photo: Brannon Finney
Aquaculture & Marine Field Internship Opportunity
A unique opportunity aboard an Alaskan fishing vessel will offer college credits for aspiring interns to learn insights into the commercial fishing industry.
Captain Brannon Finney and her vessel, the F/V Alaskan Girl, have partnered with Bellingham Technical College to create programming that will further aquaculture and marine ecology learning.
Read more about the opportunity via the blog post below:
Summer Maintenance Week Opportunity on S/V Adventuress
Sound Experience is hosting our annual Summer Maintenance Week aboard the historic schooner Adventuress, a National Historic Landmark, at Seattle's Shilshole Bay Marina from June 28 – July 3, 2026, with volunteer shifts running daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
During Maintenance Week, volunteers work alongside our professional crew and community members on a variety of projects that help preserve and maintain this iconic vessel for future generations. No prior experience is necessary, and volunteers are welcome to join for a single day or multiple days.
This is a great opportunity for individuals who are:
- Seeking volunteer or community service hours
- Interested in learning hands-on boat maintenance and maritime skills
- Exploring maritime careers or educational opportunities
- Looking to meet others who share an interest in boats, sailing, and the maritime community
- Interested in supporting a historic vessel and nonprofit organization
Volunteers will receive guidance from our experienced crew throughout the day, and lunch is provided.
Summer Maintenance Week
Historic Schooner Adventuress
Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle, WA
June 28 – July 3, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
The summer 2026 edition of 'On the Waterfront' is here! Click the above banner to check out the print edition, or look for it at your local news stands around the harbor.
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:
June 9 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
June 23 - Board of Commissioners Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
May 12 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
May 26 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
May 12 - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Want to get the highlights from each meeting on our maritime trades and marine-related topics? Join the Coalition as a member to get access to Commissioner meeting briefs, available on the member page of our website! Join us and add your voice to the waterfront discussion HERE.
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
Solstice Splash w/ CBC
Community Boating Center, June 19 4:30pm
Join the Community Boating Center for their biggest Solstice Splash celebration and fundraiser yet! Celebrate the longest day of the year with sailing, paddling, and waterfront fun on Bellingham Bay, guided by CBC's talented youth sailors and instructors. Enjoy live music, giant bubbles, raffle prizes, and try your hand at our first-ever dunk tank for the chance to send a few CBC staff members swimming (we're scared).
LFS Block Party
Squalicum Harbor / Lummi Fisheries Supply, June 22 11am-2pm
Join LFS and your waterfront community for the annual Squalicum Harbor Block Party, hosted by Lummi Fisheries Supply! Enjoy summer deals on merchandise, meet suppliers, learn about local waterfront organizations and businesses, and enjoy a summer afternoon at the harbor! Kid friendly activities available, and food will be on site.
Blue Drinks Q2 - Shipping Terminal Tour & Kulshan
Trackside Container Village - June 24th, 5:00pm
Blue Drinks Q2 hosts a walking tour of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. See the modernizations and hear about what's next for Bellingham's waterfront infrastructure. See the big cranes in person, and ask questions of Port terminal operations staff. The tour ends back at Trackside for drinks at Kulshan and further discussion. Free event. Open to the public.
Meet in front of the Container village at 5:00pm. Tour starts 5:15pm.
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 2026 and 2027.
This newsletter sponsored by:
Alta-Gas
Premera
Copyright 2025 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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