RBAW Monthly Newsletter

- April 2024 -

RBAW Awarded CVA Grants!

Free Mobile Pump-outs!!

RBAW is excited to announce that we have been awarded two (2) Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grants, securing federal pass-through money that is administered and awarded by Washington State Parks. Both grants are for mobile pump-out capabilities and supports our goal of increasing their availability in Puget Sound.

FREE West Sound Mobile Pump-outs – A 3-year program with ~48 annual weekend days and holidays from Memorial Day through October. Service will be offered in Liberty Bay (Poulsbo), Eagle Harbor (Bainbridge Island) and Blake Island State Marine Park. RBAW will use a 3^rd party mobile pump-out provider to provide this service. This grant requires a 25% match from RBAW, and we are actively seeking support from West Sound municipalities, foundations, and others to help us raise these match dollars.

NEW Pump-out Vessel build - RBAW will construct an NEW pump-out vessel to be used in Puget Sound – actual serving area to be determined. This vessel will take about a year to build, and RBAW will pursue a 2025 CVA grant to provide free pump-outs with this new vessel. No match is required for the new vessel build.

As a longtime proponent of recreational boating pump-out facilities (fixed and mobile), RBAW has spearheaded state lobbying efforts to augment the federal Clean Vessel Act funds that states receive. In 2022-23, we helped form a coalition that teamed up with the State Parks Boating Program to secure $1.8 million in 2023-25 Capital Budget dollars for added recreational and commercial pump-out activities. Stay tuned, more info to come!

#MindtheZone is Hiring!

The #MindTheZone campaign, an initiative of RBAW, is co-funded by the City of Seattle and the State of Washington. It launched in the summer of 2022 to raise awareness of the five seaplane advisory buoys on Lake Union (Seattle) from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Are you or someone you know looking for a part-time summer job? Do you love boating, paddling, or spending time on Lake Union? Do you enjoy interfacing with the public? MTZ is hiring for the Outreach Coordinator role based in Seattle!

Follow this link for more information: rbaw.org/mindthezone/

2024 Spring Boats Afloat Show

Swing by the RBAW and #MindtheZone booth on the East Dock and say hello! Learn about the seaplane advisory buoys that will be in Lake Union Memorial Day through Labor Day, and hear what RBAW is doing to support recreational boating in our state. An RBAW membership allows us to do everything we do – feel free to stop by and renew your membership or bring a friend by who’s not a member. See you at the show!

The Boats Afloat Show, held April 25-28^th on Seattle's Lake Union, is presented by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association and is recognized as the largest floating boat show in the Pacific Northwest.

This must-attend show offers a wide variety of boats in one exquisite location – powerboats, sailboats, day boats, long-range cruising yachts – and much more! Guests also enjoy a full line-up of curated events while charting their next adventure: live music, delicious beverages and fun activities for the whole family.

For tickets and more information, go to boatsafloatshow.com

Increases in Boat Insurance Liability Coverage Reported for Cruisers to BC

At a recent annual meeting with RBAW’s counterpart in BC, the Council of BC Yacht Clubs, representatives confirmed that many BC marinas require proof of $2 million liability insurance coverage for transient boaters wishing to tie up. Some marinas are considering raising that limit to $3 million in 2025.

Although this is not an entirely new concept in BC, there are personal stories of being refused mooring if a visiting yacht cannot provide documentation showing their coverage meets the increased liability requirement. Since most marine insurance policies written on Washington vessels have a $300,000 to $500,000 liability limit, this suggests that many cruisers intending to cruise North increase limits to $3 million or obtain an “umbrella policy” to cover all of their risks. It is reported that umbrella policies may be acceptable but a call ahead to marinas on your cruising itinerary is recommended.

On a related note, not all US marine insurance carriers will agree to expand the liability limits. It is reported that an RBAW member was not able to increase their liability coverage beyond $1 million by Geico/BoatUS and was told that their boat, insured for $195,000, was of a too low value to extend the coverage. That boat owner did find higher coverage with another marine insurance carrier.

So before venturing North, check the requirements of favorite marinas both public and private, include reciprocal yacht clubs, and also check with your own carrier as to the possibility of extending coverage if needed.

Linda Newland
RBAW Delegate from Port Townsend YC

Lakebay Marina Open House!

Curious about the redevelopment of Lakebay Marina?
Attend the open house on Monday, April 29th!

Learn more about the historic project and get involved! There will be a project presentation and an open-mic comment period.

An important part of that redevelopment is community input. For those of you that are unable to attend there will be an online survey for comments posted on the project website closer to the open house date of 4/29. Click here for the project website.

Feel free to email lakebaymarina@dnr.wa.gov to be added to the list and receive future project updates.

Want to show your support by making a tax deductible donation online to support the Lakebay Marina redevelopment and other Salish Sea marine parks? Click here to donate today!

Upcoming Events!

Finance Committee Meeting
April 23, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Held by Zoom only

Membership Committee Meeting
April 24, 2024 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Held by Zoom only

Legislative Committee Meeting
April 29, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Held by Zoom only

Board Meeting
May 2, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Held by Zoom only

NEW Contributing Member Sponsorship Opportunities!

Do YOU have a referral for a potential Contributing Member?

Support the recreational boater, and what's important to them!

Please refer them to our Executive Director, Katie Bohocky, CAE

Platinum Sponsor - $10,000

Educational Speaking Consideration
Exhibitor Table at Annual Member Meeting
Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
Sponsor Directory Listing on RBAW Website
2 Social Media Spotlights with Information of your Choice
Sponsor Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
Sponsor Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Gold Sponsor - $5,000

Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
Sponsor Directory Listing on RBAW Website
1 Social Media Spotlight with Information of your Choice
Sponsor Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
Sponsor Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Silver Sponsor - $2,500

Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
Sponsor Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
Sponsor Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Bronze Sponsor - $1,000

Named Sponsor & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Click here for a .pdf of these sponsorship opportunities!

To learn more about how your business can support what's important to the recreational boater in WA, and get notice by our 7,000+ members contact our Executive Director today!

RBAW's Gold Sponsors!