RBAW Monthly Newsletter

- January 2024 -

RBAW will be at the Seattle Boat Show!

February 2 - 10, 2024 at the Lumen Field Event Center.

RBAW'S booth is in the East Hall - Booth 929.
Show Map (PDF) – VIEW/DOWNLOAD.
#MindTheZone (RBAW's Initiative) is the booth next to RBAW's Booth 931.

We hope to see you there!

An important announcement from RBAW Contributing Member BoatUS

BoatUS: Be Vigilant When Renewing

Your Boat’s US Coast Guard Vessel Documentation
can lead to confusion and higher costs

Official-looking vessel documentation renewal notices

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Jan. 18, 2024 – Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal.

BoatUS advises that while the Coast Guard does send official annual renewal notices by U.S. mail, other notices being received by BoatUS members are not from the Coast Guard but rather third-party companies whose name or return addresses may appear similar to that of the official U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

Members have complained that these letters direct them to websites that may be mistaken for the actual Coast Guard NVDC located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, and appear to show a significant increase in the annual fee to renew Coast Guard documentation.

A 2017 Coast Guard bulletin says in part:

“The NVDC is aware that there are commercial entities that offer to manage the certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee. The Coast Guard does not endorse any of these companies, and the companies do not operate on behalf of the Coast Guard in any way. Any fees charged or agreements offered by such companies are in no way associated with the NVDC certification process. In addition, these companies are not authorized to issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/or permits that authorize operation of ANY vessel. Customer complaints can be made through the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website at https://www.ftc.gov/.”

While third-party companies may legitimately provide services to assist with vessel documentation renewals, the Coast Guard’s own renewal process is simple for most vessels and the price, $26 annually, is often much lower than what third-party services may charge.

To renew, go to the U.S. Coast Guard National Documentation Center website and click on “instructions and forms,” then “Certificate of Documentation Application for Renewal.” The Coast Guard NVDC also offers renewal options up to five years for recreational vessels.

Derelict Aquatic Structures to be Removed

Posted by Lorena and Leonard Landon

Thanks to the passage of Washington State House Bill 1378 and Senate Bill 5433, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will soon begin the removal of derelict aquatic structures along Washington’s waterways that pose environmental and safety hazards.

The new legislation gives DNR the authority to remove derelict structures like unused piers, pilings, and decrepit marinas. DNR has long removed creosote pilings and derelict vessels; now with this new bill, DNR can remove forgotten maritime structures. The new legislation creates a formal program, which allows the removal of large derelict structures from state-owned aquatic lands, and also allows local governments and non-profits to use DNR’s expertise in order to remove hazardous structures from waterways. Financial incentives are also provided for small businesses who need help improving their overwater structures through a grant program.

Funding to remove the four highest priority derelict structures, nicknamed the “Filthy Four”, has been included in the Capital Budget to complete this important work. DNR will work with tribes, local governments, nonprofits, and other organizations to address and remove derelict structures from state and privately-owned aquatic lands by establishing the Aquatic Derelict Structures Program within DNR.

Creosote, asbestos, and other materials used in buildings and piers constructed in earlier times, adversely affect the environment; harmful chemicals leach into the water and sediment. Submerged tire piles have also been identified as a major source of pollution. Pieces from piers in disrepair often fall into the water and pose navigation hazards for boaters. Derelict structures are known to impede the efforts of salmon recovery and jeopardize the health and safety of communities noted Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands. “For healthy salmon and heathy communities, it’s critical that we get rid of them,” said Hilary Franz.

Removal of derelict structures will take place over the next couple of years in 2024 and 2025 starting with the prioritized “Filthy Four” identified by DNR:

1. Triton-America Pier, Anacortes (Built in 1914, this pier served various cannery companies until 1998.)
2. Dickman Lumber Mill, Tacoma (1,200 creosote pilings remain at the mill site, which operated from the 1890s until 1974.)
3. Former High Tides Seafood Pier, Neah Bay (Family owned and operated over 45 years. The old pier at Neah Bay served as a previous location for business operations.)
4. Ray’s Boathouse Pier, Ballard (One of Seattle’s best seafood restaurants in operation for 50 years. Now temporarily closed for facility upgrades during January and February 2024.)

DNR serves as stewards of more than 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands, ensuring protection and fostering public access. The Aquatic Derelict Structures bill was requested by Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and sponsored by Senator Ron Muzzall and Representative Kristine Reeves.

Cannery Pier Photo: GoSkagit.com
Dickman Mill Ruins: Wikipedia

Washington State Parks Closes 35 Mooring Buoys, Plans Replacements

Article by 48° North

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) has identified 35 public recreational mooring buoys across western Washington that are at risk of breaking in the future.

• Blake Island
• Clark Island
• Cutts Island
• Fort Flagler
• Fort Townsend
• Fort Worden
• Illahee
• Jones Island
• Kopachuck
• Mystery Bay
• Potlach
• Sequim Bay
• Stuart Island, Provost Harbor
• Stuart Island, Reid Harbor
• Sucia Island, Fox Cove
• Twanoh

Starting in mid-November, Parks closed these buoys, which the agency plans to replace. Even though individual buoys are closed, the impacted parks will still have other mooring buoys available for use.

Parks maintains 259 mooring buoys at 40 parks across Puget Sound, Hood Canal, the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, and the San Juan Islands. Of these parks, 16 will be affected by partial buoy closures. They are:

The agency plans to replace the existing anchors with modern helical screw-type anchors. Planners anticipate installing the new anchor systems in winter 2024 – 2025, pending permitting and funding. The 35 buoys will be closed until further notice.

When finished, the upgraded systems will allow boats to safely tie up, and they will limit impacts on eelgrass, fish, marine mammals and other fragile shallow marine environments.

Using mooring buoys is important to help protect sensitive eelgrass habitats from anchor impact. Each buoy is designed for a single vessel up to 45 feet in length. Boaters cannot raft or tie multiple boats together when using mooring buoys.

To report a damaged buoy, please contact the Parks information center via email at infocent@parks.wa.gov or by phone at (360)-902-8844.

State parks are a top destination for cruising, sail and power boaters. Buoys are $15 per night and available on a first-come first-served basis. Learn more about State Parks mooring buoys.

SARC 2024 is LIVE!

Article by 48° North

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!

Interested? Contact our Executive Director to purchase yours today!

Upcoming Events!

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

Legislative "Boating" Day in Olympia
January 25, 2024 – Reception at Olympia Yacht Club
Held In Person only

Board Meeting
February 1, 2024 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Held by Zoom and In Person at Seattle Yacht Club

Seattle Boat Show
February 2 - 10, 2024 | Booth EAST 929
Venue: Lumen Field Event Center

Legislative Committee Meeting
February 19, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Held by Zoom only

Membership Committee Meeting
February 28, 2024 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Held by Zoom only

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