Waterfront Wednesday News

Nov. 20, 2024

AI Boosts Alaska Pollock Assessments

AI Learning Models can help fill in and analyze survey information. Graphic: AFSC

The seafood industry is benefitting from machine learning as the Alaskan pollock assessments have improved the species distribution modeling used to generate stock assessments. Read more about the next generation of fisheries assessments via the National Fisherman article below:

Crew Connections Mixer & Wild Seafood Connection

Wild Seafood Connection is coming to Bellingham February 27th, 2025. The 1-day conference brings together seafood industry professionals from vessel operators and crew, to seafood processers, buyers, and even the chefs that prepare the seafood for the end-consumer. This year, Bellingham's Dockside Market is partnering with the Working Waterfront Coalition to host "Crew Connections Mixer", a chance for anyone interested in working as a crew member aboard a fishing vessel to connect with vessel operators or other professional crew, ask questions, and make the connections to start or continue their maritime career.

If you're a vessel operator, or potential crew interested in attending, join us the evening before the Wild Seafood Connection for an informal networking all-ages event. Crews in Alaska can be 16+ in age, and starting early on accrueing sea-time can be a boon to a professional career.

What: Crew Connections Mixer
When: Wednesday, February 26th, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Structure's Brewing on Holly - 601 Holly St (back room)
Who: Vessel Operators, interested crew, all ages

Please RSVP below (free) to let us know you're coming, but you can also just show up!

NW Maritime Apprenticeship Program Fact Sheet

Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship joins in celebrating the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, embracing the theme "10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation." This nationwide recognition highlights the crucial role of Registered Apprenticeship programs in strengthening America's workforce development. Apprenticeships, the 'earn-while-you-learn' post-high school education program, open doors to exciting careers, providing hands-on training and valuable skills across industries. Whether you're exploring tech, trades, healthcare, or creative fields, an apprenticeship can be your pathway to success.

As a dedicated participant in the apprenticeship movement, the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship specializes in developing highly-skilled Marine Service Technicians through comprehensive hands-on training. Our program equips apprentices with expertise in building, maintaining, and repairing advanced marine systems. Working alongside seasoned professionals, apprentices master both traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge marine technologies.

Through structured training and industry partnerships, we're contributing to National Apprenticeship Week's decade-long mission while addressing the critical shortage of qualified marine technicians in the maritime industry. Together with employers and educational institutions nationwide, we remain committed to advancing workforce development, ensuring equal opportunities, and preparing the next generation of marine service professionals who will keep our maritime economy moving forward.

To learn more follow us on Facebook (Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship) and Instagram (@northwestmaritimeapprenticeship) or contact with us at information@waterfrontfoundation.org 

Maritime Safety Improves with Wearable Tech

LifeFinder beacon, an intelligent alert system that can be worn, carried or placed to detect abnormal conditions. Photo: Lifefinder.se

Wearable life-saving technology has seen a boon in recent decades, with many new products on the market that aid in seafaring safety.  Hear about some of the recent innovations from an article on Ship-Technology.com:

King Tides at Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Deb Granger

Washington King Tides seeks public submissions of photos during our king and high-tide events. Photos of important locations help scientists, planners and those making policy decisions to better understand the effects of sea-level rise and storm surges.

To read more about the program and how to submit photos (info on right side of page), visit Washington Sea Grant's article about it, linked below:

Coalition member Deckhand Logbook sets up at PME 2024. Photo: Lange Solberg

Pacific Marine Expo, Seattle Lumen Field, Nov. 20-22, has been held in Seattle for more than 50 years. It’s the one place to check out the latest products, technologies, and services, learn best practices, and catch up with old and new friends.

In addition to checking out the exhibits and new equipment, meeting up with old friends, attending some of the company events, this year’s Educational Programs offer key info sessions.

Thursday, Nov. 21st main stage lineup includes: 

• 10:45 a.m., catch the Workforce Development on America’s Waterfront session. In addition to several national programs, Deb Granger presents about the growing Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship and the new Buoyant Beginnings Pre-Apprenticeship. 

• 12:45 p.m., an important session for everyone involved in commercial fishing and seafood processing is the Commercial Fishing and Seafood in the USDA: Call to Action. This panel session dives into the diverse opportunities for the USDA to support the seafood and fisheries industry, focusing on industry collaboration, and marketing initiatives.

• 3:30 p.m., the ever-popular Alaska Symphony of Seafood offers an exciting platform that supports companies’ investments in new product development all helping to increase domestic seafood consumption. 

PME offers fun, information, and a chance to meet up with your good friends – all working to lift our important working waterfronts.

To find out more about these panels, see others, or plan your trip to the Pacific Marine Expo, visit the link below:

Gingerbread creations on display at last year's Holiday Port festival. Photo: Port of Bellingham

The Port of Bellingham has partnered with several local community teams to break graham (crackers) on new creations in the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The teams have been working for the last few weeks on the Port's Infrasugar Project at the Cruise Terminal, which aims to add holiday cheer and family fun to the terminal. Partly funded by gumdrops from the Federal Frosting Administration, the projects are set to be completed and on display at the Cruise Terminal December 7th and 8th,  with family-friendly activities, music, food, and fun.

Holiday Port Festival
December 7 - 8
Bellingham Cruise Terminal

Bring the family down to the terminal, and vote for your favorite gingerbread creation, sing festive holiday songs, and help ring in the holiday season!

Learn more about the Holiday Port festival via the link below:

The design for the new catamaran. Graphic: ABB

Bellingham's own All-American Marine will be partnering with Technology company ABB to complete a 63-foot hybrid-electric propulsion catamaran for the Orange County Sanitation District to use in ocean-sampling operations. It will feature a state-of-the-art energy storage system to supplement the efficient Cummins engines, allowing an annual drop in emissions of around 30% from a traditionally-powered vessel of the same size.

To read more about the build, see details from All-American Marine:

Bellingham's working waterfront. Photo: Steve Hardin

The Port of Bellingham's commissioners approved the 2025 Port Strategic Budget yesterday, with comments from community members highlighting projects during the two public hearings held over the last month. The Port approved amendments adding back in to the 2026 timeline, the work for an ADA-accessible dock in Fairhaven, which will allow the Community Boating Center to expand its programming. The Port also removed from the budget an increase in the levvied property tax, keeping the levy amount the same as 2024.

Please see the link below for Tuesday's meeting and budget approval: