259

Washington State Parks maintains 259 public recreational mooring buoys throughout Puget Sound. This is the "largest state-managed mooring system in the nation."

The buoys provide unique access to state parks and are a convenient overnight option for many boaters. With a highly active recreational boating community, they also help reduce impacts of anchoring on the marine environment.

As of this spring, the state agency completed most of its San Juan Islands buoy maintenance project, replacing 70 anchors between 15-20 years old. There are 112 out of 114 of the buoys in the islands in service. The remaining two buoys will have their anchors replaced in the fall.

More anchor replacement work will continue this year at Blake Island (24 anchor replacements in July), South Sound (92 anchors) and the Olympic area (33 anchors).

Two Washington state-based apps, OnBuoy and Moorbuoys, are also working to expand access to private buoys and slips with Airbnb-like marketplaces.

USCG changes course in Seattle

West of T-Mobile Park, between the Duwamish Waterway and State Route 99, lies U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle. It's waterfront location at Pier 36 sits between Terminal 30 to the south and Terminal 46 to the north, both owned by the Port of Seattle.

After years of back and forth around a proposed base expansion and competing cargo shipping priorities, the USCG announced April 9 it will not move forward with "substantial expansion" of Base Seattle. The decision came as surprise, including for the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

Base Seattle supports operations for both the Northwest District and missions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Two of the country's three icebreakers are homeported in Seattle. These types of vessels are of increasing importance as the Northwest Passage and Arctic climate changes.

Here's what it means:

• The USCG will seek to acquire 5.5 acres at Terminal 46 and an adjacent 1.1 acre property. The original plan included acquiring up to 53 acres at Terminal 46.
• Base Seattle will be modernized and renovated. The USCG will continue to operate with four berths, instead of expanding berth space for more icebreakers and support vessels.
• Contracts have been awarded for 11 new Arctic capable ships, a major multi-billion national security initiative. The first two new icebreakers will be homeported in Alaska. Three of the icebreakers will be based at Base Seattle.
• The long awaited decision clears the path for alternative maritime development at the shuttered Terminal 46. Terminal 30 is also currently closed, increasing the pressure for the port to secure new tenants and business for 159-acres of waterfront property.

Around the Sound

The FRS Clipper christened a new whale-watching boat built in La Conner. Known for its ferry service between downtown Seattle to Victoria, B.C., the Clipper also markets itself as "the only Seattle wildlife and whale watching tour." The new Emerald Clipper cruises more than 10 knots faster while using significantly less fuel than its predecessor. In 2025, the 40-year-old company reduced its sailings to Victoria and laid off staff, but still regularly sold out its whale-watching tours.

SEASTR PNW announced Erinn Floyd as its new president. Founder Erica Lichty remains involved as founding president while advancing her career at Washington State Ferries. The five-year-old nonprofit is dedicated to creating inclusive access to waterborne activities.

The sea lions are in residence. Docks and rocks in Edmonds and Ballard are covered with the large and loud marine mammals. Their increasing presence in the region has drawn eager onlookers (but don't get close enough to take a selfie, per the Port of Seattle) while vexing marina managers, local fishermen, and dock neighbors. They are a federally protected species, but the Marine Mammal Act allows for "non-lethal deterrence of nuisance animals under certain circumstances."

The former Foss Shipyard in Seattle, which closed in 2021, is now an autonomous warship building facility for Anduril, a major player in the defense technology industry. More from GeekWire.

Enrollment is now open for Maritime 253, a regional Career and Technical Education center for high school students. The Maritime 253 Skills Center will open in the fall at the Port of Tacoma's new Maritime Center building.

The Port of Port Townsend has big plans and are off Instagram. They announced a plan to upgrade the Quilcene boat launch ramp at Herb Beck Marina with construction to start in the fall. There's also a trail and boat yard expansion in the works at Boat Haven, where the boat yard is at capacity and booked out for months. The Port also announced it will discontinue use of social media.

New tool allows boaters to report abandoned or derelict vessels for inclusion in the BoatUS Foundation's national database. The reports help with removal and cleanup efforts, which can cost more than $24,000 per boat. Submit an report.

Upcoming events

• May 7 — Ports & Popcorn feat. ILWU Strong: Longshore at the Port of Tacoma @ The Grand Cinema. FREE with registration.
• May 10 — Future Tides Mother's Day edition walking tour @ Lake Union Park. FREE with RSVP.
• May 13 — Stories of the Sea 2026 @ Bad Alberts in Ballard. Enter the storytelling contest or watch from the audience.
• May 13 — Seabirds Live! @ UW Tacoma. FREE with RSVP.
• May 14 - 16 — Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show featuring Trawlerfest. Tickets start at $15.
• May 15 — 3rd annual Washington Water Safety Day. Join No More Under and Washington State Parks in raising awareness.
• May 16 — Core Plus Maritime Student Marine Welding Competition @ at Vigor Marine. Thirty students from regional high school programs will compete.

• May 16 - 22 — National Safe Boating Week. NOAA and National Safe Boating Council offer safe boating resources and reminders at the start of the season.
• May 19 — 2026 Maritime Workforce Forum @ Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Registration required.
• May 19 — Future Tides Duck Dodge edition walking tour @ Lake Union Park. FREE with RSVP.
• May 29-31 — Seventy 48 human powered race starting in Tacoma and finishing in Port Townsend. Watch for the 100+ teams out on the water or join the post-race Necktie Affair @ Northwest Maritime Center.