RBAW Monthly Newsletter

November 2022

Thank You & Farewell to Doug Levy

We are lucky to have had such an effective and devoted lobbyist, partner and friend for years supporting RBAW in Doug Levy. Doug is ready for a lifestyle change and has resigned effective end of year, but in typical Doug fashion, he's found us an outstanding replacement in Trevor Justin. We welcome Trevor and his several years of experience and are confident that he's the right person for the job. 

Older Boats Should Pay Less Excise Tax 

We all know vessel values continue to depreciate as they age. RBAW has been working with the Department of Revenue to point out the difference between having a boat valued at .34% on a DOR schedule vs. as low as .14% or .18% on their recommended schedule. This primarily affects people who own boats purchased 17+ years ago. 

We have a partial win towards fixing the inequities to this year’s depreciation schedule; The DOR has agreed to discussions towards agreement on a proposed amendment to the state law governing the depreciation schedule, that can be brought to the 2024 legislature.

This change of heart was in response to a letter RBAW sent to DOR with our key concerns that the schedule over inflates the value of older vessels purchased 14-15 or more years ago. Additionally, RBAW President Bob Wise gave impassioned testimony on this depreciation issue in a public hearing on 10/25/22, click HERE to read,

Lakebay Marina Update 

The architectural engineering firm of Art Anderson and Associates of Bremerton has started drawing up plans for the restoration and replacement, as needed, of the many facets of the upgrade plans for Lakebay Marina.

Also, the Department of Natural Resources, with RBAW input, turned in an application asking for $1.5 million for Lakebay improvements under the Boating Facilities Program overseen by the Recreation and Conservation Office. This is a partial funding which will hopefully be supported by another $1 million from the 2023-25 Capital Budget and a direct funding of removal of an underground storage tank at the site.

RBAW Helping Fund Derelict Vessel Cleanup

Nobody wants old sunken or marooned vessels polluting our waterways, but it’s expensive to remove them. We’re proud to say that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) commended our work on the passage of HB 1700 which directs nearly $8.6 million a biennium of existing Watercraft Excise Tax from the general fund to the Derelict Vessel Removal Program.

RBAW has also written a support letter to help the Agency secure a $4.3 million Marine Debris Removal federal grant. Furthermore, DNR is working on removing vessels from non-public lands in the future and with the additional funds can double the derelict vessels being removed each year. 

Gig Harbor's "Pumpout Guy"

More Pumpouts Coming Soon

RBAW is working with a coalition of other stakeholders on a 2023-25 Capital Budget request for $4 million to both expand recreational boat pump-out capacity and establishing new pump-out places for commercial vessels. 

KOMO News

#MindTheZone Awareness Campaign to Ensure all Lake Union Users Stay Safe 

As previously reported, RBAW expanded their mission to include a land-based education program last summer aimed at informing all types of vessels or human powered watercraft operators on Lake Union of the seasonal seaplane advisory buoys.  Wherereby a yellow flashing light on buoys will begin flashing to alert boaters to kindly move east or west to allow a seaplane to safely land.   

To continue this program’s funding, RBAW and a broad-based coalition of 19 organizations have now urged the City of Seattle and the mayor’s office to add $300,000 to the City’s budget over the next two years to continue the #MindTheZone safety program. The 2022 program was funded for one year through the Governor’s supplemental budget. The seaplane companies using the advisory buoys lauded the campaign and felt it was very successful in keeping lake users safer. 

Tyee Yacht Club Outstation - Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island

Join Us - Annual RBAW Meeting Dec 3rd 

The annual meeting will be on Zoom AND in-person December 3 10:30 - 2:30 PM at the Tyee Yacht Club outstation on Bainbridge Island.

Yacht club members of RBAW are invited to send delegates to vote on officers and to vote on the proposed 2023 Legislative and Regulatory agenda. All RBAW members are encouraged to attend either in person or by Zoom but hopefully there will be a good turnout of in person attendees. For sign up information, members please see the www.rbaw.org webpage. The invitation has been sent directly to each RBAW member, and affiliated Yacht Club member contacts as well. 

WA Sea Grant is Asking for Your Help

Our friends at Washington Sea Grant are conducting a recreational boater survey and have asked for our help in getting the word out. Please consider taking the survey and sharing with your boating friends.

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