Waterfront Wednesday 1-3-24

Tide To Table '24 - Save the Date

Tide To Table '24,  the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition's annual fundraising gala, is set for April 20th, 2024 at the Bellingham Ferry & Cruise Terminal - 355 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven.  The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with drinks, oysters, auctions, music and fun! This year's theme is "Old Hollywood", so come dressed for the silver screen as we toast, cheer, and fundraise for a busy 2024.

Save the date - and look for tickets on sale soon!

Sponsor the Event
If you're wanting to support your Coalition this year, consider sponsoring the event. Sponsors may receive prime seating in the Dome Room and other benefits depending on the level you sponsor. If you're interested in Sponsoring, please reach out to Info@whatcomworkingwaterfront.org, and include the subject line 'T2T24 Sponsorship'.  

Donate to the Auction - Silent & Live
The Coalition is also now accepting donations for the auction. All proceeds support your Coalition programming and efforts on behalf of our working waterfronts.  Please contact our staff at Info@whatcomworkingwaterfront.org to learn more and to contribute.  

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Tide to Table '24
April 20, 2024  6:00 p.m.
Bellingham Ferry & Cruise Terminal
355 Harris Avenue

Coalition to Host Annual Member Meeting

The Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition hosts the annual Membership Appreciation Night this month.  The evening is a full member meeting -- open to all active members and other invited parties. The meeting focuses on successes of the past year, the upcoming year's activities, and elections for the Board of Directors. 

Drink and food will be provided.  All members are encouraged to attend to learn about your Coalition, network with your peers, and get involved this year.

Annual Member Appreciation Night
January 31, 2024
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Squalicum Boathouse, Zuanich Point Park

City Council to Hear Noise Ordinance Proposal

(Bellingham Shipping Terminal. Photo courtesy Port of Bellingham )

The City Council is set to hear a modified version of the city noise ordinance on January 8th. If adopted, this clarification in the ordinance language would impact businesses all along the waterfronts in opening up their operations to the possibility of citation, fines, or penalties for noise-complaint calls from residential areas. 

The proposal will revise language to clarify that between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., any noise deemed a nuisance by a responding officer on a call would be liable for citation, regardless of the zone or area from which it originates. Traditionally, the industrial zones of Bellingham have not been too involved in residential noise complaints due to the nature of their industry and work. The current push to open up the entire waterfront, as well as all industrial areas in Bellingham, to the effects of residential noise complaints are originating from concern over an operation of the shipping terminal, one of several operations it currently has or are planned, which results in a loading noise that occurs after-hours for 5-7 days, about six times a year. The noise affects the South Hill neighborhood primarily, and the Port, the contract company, city and other stakeholders are working to mitigate the impact.

The change in language would have likely negative impacts to other long-standing Bellingham businesses such as Bornstein Seafoods, All-American Marine, Bellingham Cold Storage, and others. It would also impact the shipping terminal's ability to secure future contracts, due to the nature of commercial shipping being much like train scheduling, where cargo must move according to schedules outside of local control. If the terminal has too many limits on hours of operation, they will not be able to attract or secure contracts.

Waterfront businesses are wary of being more open to citation for operations that are imperative to their ongoing work. Commercial fishing vessels, gearing up for seasonal fishing seasons often load their boats to accommodate tides and weather conditions. These operations often work around the clock and have done so for years. While none have ever been cited for noise disturbances, there have been calls regarding loading and unloading fishing vessels that would, under the revised language, be liable for citation. The effect of such liability to businesses and the commercial fishing fleet are not known.

Concerned industry and business leaders are planning to attend the upcoming City Council meeting on January 8th to request the Council consider carefully the potential impacts and consult more stakeholders along the waterfront. The waterfront community is understanding of the concerns and the goal would be to mitigate the impact of noise without unduly harming long-time successful businesses comprising our working waterfront. 

Bosun's Workshop Offers Diesel Maintenance 201

(Bosun's Workshop's Outboard Maintenance class. Photo courtesy Calen Mehrer)

Welcome New Members

New members do everything from producing tracking devices to overseas moving & transportation.

The Coalition would like to welcome new members from the last couple of months. We are ever-growing in our ranks as more companies and individuals recognize the need to preserve and advocate for our working waterfronts. The following groups or individuals joined to support the Coalition. Some joined to also take advantage of our growing Working Waterfront Health Trust - a pooled-health plan option for any qualifying state-wide maritime company. 

As the Coalition continues to grow, we're excited to have these new members onboard, and hope to see them, and you, at our upcoming Annual Member Meeting on January 31st.

New members joining since November, 2023: 
North Harbor Diesel & Yacht Service
Momentum Financial Group
Polyform, USA
Rainier Overseas Movers, Inc
Fisherman's Finest, Inc
Northwest Marine Technology
Nordland Boat Company
Hannah Delapp
F/V Persistent

The Coalition welcomes your support and participation.

Coalition Job Board - Digital Bulletins for Crew

(Photo: Getty Images)

The Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition launched our Job Board last year as a digital bulletin board for waterfront jobs and crew positions.

Send us your phone and email, along with details on your open position (pay must be included per WA state law), and we'll list your information and position on our site.  You can then promote links to the job board, and other interested crew who may take your positions can search and find your information via our digital bulletins on this board.

To find out more, submit a position or see what positions are posted, visit the board:

Upcoming Coalition  & Maritime Events:

WWC Annual Member  Meeting
January 31, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Squalicum Boathouse, 600 N. Harbor Loop Drive
All members are welcome to attend the Annual Meeting,  hear your Coalition's accomplishments  and  learn about plans for 2024.  We welcome your input and ideas for this year.

WWC Q1 Board of Directors Meeting
February 14, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
708 Coho Way, Bellingham
Members and invited guests are welcome to join us for our first-quarter Board of Director's meeting of 2024. 

Tide to Table '24
April 20, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Bellingham Cruise & Ferry Terminal,
355 Harris Avenue, Bellingham
Join us for our annual fundraiser dinner, Tide to Table. This year's theme will be Old Hollywood.  Come dressed for the silver screen to enjoy a fantastic seafood buffet, auction, and fun.  Stay tuned for details and tickets.