——————–February 15, 2022——————–
Christening ceremony set for new Travelift Wednesday, Feb. 16, at noon
The Port invites boaters and the public to help christen the brand new 75-ton Travelift at a ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at noon at the haul out pier. Coffee from Sunrise Coffee and baked goods from the Marina Café will be served. Port Commission Chair Pam Petranek is set to formally welcome the Travelift by whacking a bottle of Port Townsend Brewing Co. beer on it. (All three of those companies are Port tenants.) The Travelift from Kendrick Equipment was bolted together last week and has already started hauling boats.
Recognizing Khile, a new lease and more on agenda for Feb. 23 Port Commission meeting
At the Port Commission’s Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m. business meeting, commissioners will be recognizing the almost 34 years of service done by retiring Operations Manager Terry Khile. Other business on the agenda includes a new lease for Sea Marine to use the sail loft in the Armory building at Point Hudson, appointment of citizens to a Sims Way project task force in partnership with the Public Utility District and the City of Port Townsend, the selection of an engineering consultant for the Jefferson County International Airport, and a declaration of an emergency to repair Boat Haven damage caused by the king tide of Jan. 7, 2022.
Airport’s ‘safety box’ content is coming together
If accidents produce spills at the Jefferson County International Airport (JCIA) before emergency responders arrive, those on the scene will be able to use a staged Safety Box to respond. The box would include directions on steps to take, a handheld radio, portable runway closure equipment, fuel-absorbent pads, safety vests and other equipment.
Old Coast Guard building being refitted for new role as moorage office
The Port’s Maintenance Department is busy retrofitting an old Coast Guard building so it can, later this year, be moved to the center of the Boat Haven as the new moorage and yard office. The interior walls have been reframed; new doors have arrived; and new windows have been ordered, Operations Manager Chris Sparks told senior staff on Feb. 15. Moving the building to replace the current small moorage office is expected later this year.
Demolition of abandoned boats continues to clear up Boat Yard work space
Under contract with the Department of Natural Resources, Port staff continues the work of demolishing 13 vessels that had been abandoned. Another three vessels that have occupied space in the Boat Yard for over two years are next on the list. Additional abandoned boats are set to be auctioned at 10 a.m. on Feb. 24.
Improvements to boat ramps, marinas, stormwater system moving ahead
It’s a busy time for improvement projects at the Port. Permitting and funding for the replacement of the jetties at Point Hudson is underway, although it’s uncertain if all those pieces will be in place by the fall of 2022. Port Capital Projects Director Matt Klontz said the Port will be able to make a “go” or “no go” decision about 2022 jetty work in March. Consulting engineers have been hired for other projects, including Reid Middleton for improvements at the Gardiner Boat Ramp, and Mott MacDonald for the proposed dredging of the Herb Beck Marina in Quilcene.
Commissioner seeks county-wide commitment to battle sea level rise
Commissioner Carol Hasse is promoting inter-governmental agreement on awareness of the risks of sea level rise and global warming. Hasse, at the Port Commission’s morning workshop on Feb. 9, asked to strengthen the language in the Port’s own statement of purpose about its commitment to battle sea level rise. She also called for multi-government bodies, such as the Jefferson County Intergovernmental Collaborative Group (ICG), to make a similar stand. The ICG consists of representatives from the City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County Commission, the PUD and the Port. Its next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.