Marina Makeover Continues: Port of Everett Working to Upgrade Fuel Dock Facilities
As the busiest boating months have bid us adieu, the Port of Everett is making the best of the quieter months ahead as the Port Commission recently awarded a $2 million construction contract to Glacier Environmental Services to replace the Port’s upland underground fuel tanks that service the marina fuel dock.
This is one of many upgrades coming to the burgeoning Port facilities, which have undergone a significant transformation over the past couple of years. The work, which began in mid-September, represents the first phase of a two-part project to upgrade the Port’s aging fuel dock facility that not only supports Everett’s boating community, but also fuels national defense.
“The Port of Everett is a great partner and supporter of our national defense mission,” said Captain Josh Menzel, commanding officer of Naval Station Everett. “We rely on their fuel dock to refuel security boats and other small vessels. Improvements to the fuel dock improves access for boats used by security, divers, ship maintenance, and reserve units. This is especially important in times of emergency. We greatly appreciate the Port as our neighbor and strategic partner.”
The Port of Everett is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 slips and 5,000 lineal feet of guest moorage. Thousands of slipholders, visiting boaters, a range of recreational and commercial fishermen, tourism operators, and commercial vessels like the Hat Island Ferry also fuel up here. The U.S. Coast Guard, City of Everett Police and Fire Departments, Snohomish County Sheriff’s and tribal partners will also benefit from an upgraded fuel dock, stated the Port Commission, which also refuels their vessels at the marina to support critical emergency response in the area.
“We are excited to get this fuel dock project underway to enhance this critical asset and better meet our growing facility demands here at the Marina,” said Jeff Lindhout, Port of Everett’s Chief of Marina Operations. “Over the past two decades, we have invested more than $120 million in marina recapitalization and upgrades, and we will continue to do so to ensure Everett continues to be the boater’s choice.”
Constructed in the 1980s, the 40-year-old facility is in need of replacement and upgrades. This project involves the installation of two new 30,000-gallon underground tanks—one for diesel, the other for gas—in the Central Marina parking lot, followed by the removal of the existing gas and diesel tanks.
The second phase of the project, to take place next summer, includes dock relocation and reconfiguration to enhance the layout for vessels fueling up. In its current location at Central A-Dock, strong currents often create challenges when refueling at low tide. The work will thus include the demolition of Central A- and B-Docks. A new 500-foot dock will be built east of the current location. The existing fuel dock will remain open for the duration of the project. It will be demolished and removed once the new facility is operational. The Marina will be working directly with slipholders in the area on relocation plans during this work.
For more information on the latest developments visit: portofeverett.com.
Point Hudson Marina in Port Townsend Closed for Jetty Replacement
In another instance of important offseason maintenance work, the popular Point Hudson in Port Townsend is currently closed through early 2023 as the Port works to replace the two jetties that protect the entrance to the marina.
The jetties were originally built in 1934, when the U.S. government constructed an immigration and quarantine center on site that later became a U.S. Coast Guard station. (At that same time, the government also built the iconic white-washed buildings that make up the historic landscape surrounding the marina.) In recent years, the deterioration of the 88-year-old jetties has threatened safety of the marina, with its 50 boater slips, as winter storms combined with king tides have allowed rising waters to surge through the marina.
The Port of Port Townsend Commission sought voter approval in 2019 for an Industrial Development District (IDD) levy to help fund the rebuild of the jetties. Voters agreed and those funds have been used to leverage millions in other dollars from various entities now earmarked as part of the estimated $16.2 million construction cost of replacing both jetties over two years.
The construction currently underway is being guided by Orion Marine Contractors of Tacoma and the marina is only accessible to vessels coming into the SEA Marine haulout.
At a groundbreaking ceremony at the edge of the marina held September 14, Port Executive Director Eron Berg credited strong teamwork and assistance from many government entities to bring the project to fruition. Behind him, a barged crane from Orion had already started its work.
The work on the north jetty is expected to be completed by March 1, 2023. In September 2023, after the Wooden Boat Festival, the south jetty (closest to downtown Port Townsend) is scheduled for rebuild. The marina will again close until the work is done; completion is expected by March 1, 2024.
For the latest details on the jetty replacement, go to: portofpt.com.
Over 60 Sailors, 30-Plus Boats Set Sail for the 17th Annual Norm Blanchard W.O.O.D. Regatta
Good breeze, bright skies, beautiful boats: All in all, this year’s Norm Blanchard W.O.O.D. (Wood Open & One Design) Regatta held on September 24 was one for books, as the Center for Wooden Boat’s annual event welcomed over 60 sailors and 30-plus boats to Lake Union for a day of racing and celebration.
One of the few wood-focused racing events in the area, the full day of racing is named in homage to Norm Blanchard, a local boat builder who deeply influenced the history of Lake Union, as the Blanchard Boat Company turned out more than 2,000 boats in 60-plus years over the course of the past century. The highly coveted designs continue to inspire many wooden boat aficionados today. (Case in point: see this month’s Expert Take on pages XX-XX for an inside look at the current restoration underway at CWB on three Blanchard Junior Knockabouts.)
During this year’s event, which spanned across four races, five Norm Blanchard-built boats that are over 70 years old participated, as did eight other vessels from CWB’s own fleet. The sailors aboard the participating sailboats ranged in age from 10 to over 70, all coming together in the name of community as over 150 gathered for the races and a post-event barbecue.
Part of CWB’s mission is to create further access to the water, so sailors of all skill levels were welcomed in the regatta, whether as part of a crew or skippering their own vessel. “The fleet was diverse, ranging from 8 to 32 feet across Pelicans, Thunderbirds, Lightnings, and El Toros, with sailors ages 10 to 70+, bringing decades of experience or as brand new SailNOW grads,” wrote CWB in a recap. “The 2022 Regatta was one great, wonderful adventure.”
For more details on CWB, and to keep an eye out for information on next year’s regatta, visit: cwb.org.
