On the radar: Net recycling, luxury ship canal, port news
What's happening around our waterways. Plus, seven West Marine stores closing
55,934
The number of pounds of fishing nets recycled by 165 volunteers at the 5th annual Wild Alaska Pollock catcher-processor fleet Net Recycling Day in June.
Before recycling, the nets must be taken apart by hand and sorted by material type.
Founded by Nicole Baker in 2017, Net Your Problem facilitates recycling fishing nets and maritime plastics. The nonprofit estimates it has diverted over 2 million pounds of gear from landfills and the environment. Some nets have also been repurposed for drone protection in Ukraine.
“One of the great things about the net recycling program is that it's a good example of sustainability not needing to be high tech. These materials, once they're broken down and separated properly, are pretty easily recyclable.”
— Tim Fitzgerald, chief sustainability officer for American Seafoods
See the size and scale of American Seafood's commercial nets, which are used for three to four years, in this Port of Seattle video. In addition to Washington, Net Your Problem operates in Alaska, Oregon, Maine and Massachusetts.
That's a wrap: 9th annual Race to Alaska
The 9th edition of the 750-mile unsupported, engine-free race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan officially ended after two human-powered teams (aka paddlers) finished Friday, July 10.
Stage 1 of the race kicked things off June 14 and the winner Northbound Nutters cruised their trimaran across the finish on June 22. Thirty-three teams, many sailboats with pedal drives, finished the race.
A celebration of Northwest, boating, and dirtbag culture — delivered with irreverent and cheeky humor — Race to Alaska (R2AK) is now held every other year. The next race is in 2028.
Around the Sound
After boating retailer West Marine filed for bankruptcy, seven of the stores in Washington state are closing, more than previously announced. The stores that will shut down are in Bellevue, Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Spokane, Port Townsend and Olympia.
Stores that will remain open, as of July 11, are:
- Anacortes
- Fife
- Seattle
The countdown is on for Cascadia Sailing, a women's high performance sailing team from both sides of the U.S.-Canada border that will be representing the Pacific Northwest at the inaugural New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship Sept. 9-19 in Newport, Rhode Island.
The team faced a set back in June when the rig on their training boat was damaged but expected to be back on the water by the end of the month. At the same time, the team continues to fundraise to cover their travel, coaching and regatta expenses.
North Bend, Wash.-based EP Carry released the second generation of its electric outboard for small boats:
The Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW) received two federal Clean Vessel Act grants to expand mobile pumpout services. The funding, which is generated from the sale of fuel and boating-related products, will extend RBAW’s free mobile pumpout program in West Puget Sound for three more years and evaluate a similar program in the San Juan Islands. Local partners also contribute 25% of the funding.
New voluntary guidance provides a four-step approach for tugboat operators in Puget Sound to slow down and give orcas more space. Puget Sound Partnership, Quiet Sound, American Waterways Operators and other regional tug operators came together to co-develop the new protocol, part of the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Plan.
"Tugs are among the most active vessel types in Puget Sound, so finding a practical way to reduce disturbance around orcas has been a priority." — Todd Hass, special assistant to the director of the Puget Sound Partnership
A new Indigneous-led whale watching tour out of Seattle launched in June, a partnership between Taproot Travel Co. and FRS Clipper. The "First Stories of the Salish Seas" tour will be offered again July 14 and July 21.
Gig Harbor's Homeport project moves forward after a city hearing examiner verbally approved a shoreline permit, according to Gig Harbor Now. Learn more about the project from this previous Future Tides article:
Alex Meacham
Ballard Ship Canal developments emphasize luxury, waterfront access
Officially known as "Lake Washington Ship Canal," the narrow waterway between the Ballard Locks and Lake Union in Seattle continues to evolve. Companies and entire industries have shrunk or departed from the canal. Surrounded by increasing density, two new waterfront projects point towards a new era for the 109-year-old canal.
Terminal One Motor & Yacht Club
"Seattle's first private waterfront collective for automotive enthusiasts, superyacht owners, and legacy builders — on historic Salmon Bay."
The 8-acre former oil terminal is being redeveloped by Cantera Group, which specializes in "contaminated properties."
Location: 2737-2805 Commodore Way (Magnolia side, just east of the Locks)
Project status: In the permitting phase awaiting land use approvals as of July 7.
Read more: Developer announces plans for Terminal One Motor and Yacht Club near Ballard Locks from My Ballard
Seattle nonprofit urges review of Ballard development over impact on Heron colony from KING5
Ballard Mill Marina
A partial redevelopment of the 16-acre property will turn former lumber drying kilns into a passenger terminal for charter boats, according to Puget Sound Business Journal. Long term tenant CSR Marine and the marina will remain.
Owners Wing Point Partners also redeveloped a former fish processing facility on the canal, east of the Ballard Bridge, into West Canal Yards. Drone maker Brinc is one of the new tenants of the mixed-used development.
Location: 4733 Shilshole Ave NW (Ballard side, west of Ballard Bridge)
Project status: Expected to begin early 2027
Read more: Ballard Mill Marina owner outlines vision for passenger terminal redevelopment from My Ballard
At our ports
County and Port of Friday Harbor consider plan for all-electric interisland ferries from The Journal of the San Juan Islands
Records raise questions about how $100K Bellingham Port PR contract was managed from Salish Current
First cohort of high school maritime vessel operations course graduates from Port of Everett
Canada-destined cars keep piling up in Seattle’s empty port. That’s a bad sign from The Seattle Times Opinion
Port of Tacoma Commission approves ground lease for major cold storage facility expected to create up to 400 jobs from Port of Tacoma
New website tracks progress on efforts to reduce air and climate emissions from seaport-related operations from The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Have you heard of Karen Hays?
One of the first women graduates from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1976, Karen Hays recently retired from the Alaska Tanker Company after 27 years.
