RBAW Monthly Newsletter
- February 2025 -
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Seattle Boat Show re-cap!
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The Seattle Boat Show attracted nearly 30,000 attendees this year. RBAW had a booth in the East Hall once again where we greeted current members, signed up new members and generally spread the word of RBAW to the boating community. Several volunteers made up the booth staffing. Board members, Yacht Club Delegates joined our new Executive Director, Troy Olason. We had a great time educating the boaters in attendance on the importance and scope of all that RBAW does. |
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"We connected with a lot of people. So many folks didn't know that we exist and others that know we exist, don't know what we do". RBAW's Executive Director, Troy Olason, reflected.
"2025 is going to be about raising awareness and growing our membership with individuals, Yacht clubs and Contributing Members".
The connections made with Yacht Clubs, Individual members and prospective Contributing Members was widespread. We are soliciting more support so that RBAW can do more. If you know of a business that provides services to recreational boaters that isn't one of our Contributing Members, please send your suggestions to Troy Olason at... executivedirector@rbaw.org |
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RBAW’s #MindTheZone safety initiative had a booth next door where the campaign information was delivered to all who passed by!
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2025 "Boaters Day" in Olympia was a Success!
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Members from RBAW, NMTA and NMMA ascended on the Capitol Campus in Olympia on Tuesday, February 4th for Boaters Day in Olympia, and it was a big success. 20 RBAW members, and NMTA members had 26 meetings with legislators and their staff to highlight our top priority issues for the 2025 session. For RBAW, we focused on our #MindtheZone Lake Union Water Safety Initiative ask of $450,000 in the operating budget, and the importance of continued funding from the Capital Budget towards the Lakebay Marina renovation project, as we seek another $1m towards the next phase of the project. We also highlighted NMTA’s top priorities this session, which include Senate Bill 5281 which will expand eligibility for non-resident cruising permits for vessels up to 300 feet, and their aquatic land leases bill (SB 5656 / HB 1758) which will replace the All-Commodity Producer Price Index with the Consumer Price Index for aquatic land leases, enabling less volatility.
At the end of the day, “Boaters Day” attendees, legislators, state agency officials, and other elected officials spent the evening at the Olympia Yacht Club, for our annual lobby day reception. We had roughly a dozen legislators in attendance, as well as a packed room of boaters and marine industry supporters. All in all, another successful Boaters Day in Olympia is in the books and we made our voices heard! |
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Sunday, February 16th marks day 35 of the 2025 Legislative Session. Committees are still holding hearings on bills as well as scheduling bills for executive action, which is the action of voting bills out of committees to move them along in the process. Bills are continuously being amended and revised as they move through the process, which requires ongoing monitoring and review by RBAW board members and our Lobbyist Trevor Justin. Less than one week remains until the first legislative deadline – February 21 – where all policy bills must be voted out of their policy committee to remain alive this session. Bills in fiscal committees face a similar deadline a week later, on February 28. See below for a detailed view of the bills that RBAW is tracking to advocate for and protect recreational boating. To read more about the latest report, CLICK HERE
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Tri Cities Sportsman Show
We had a booth at the Tri-Cities Sportsmen show this year. Our Eastern Washington Director recommended the show as a great opportunity to get exposure and grow membership. 8,800 people attended the show and for many that we engaged with it was their introduction to RBAW.
A huge thanks goes to the Richland Yacht Club, the Clover Island Yacht Club and our Eastern Washington Director, Doug Larsen for manning the booth and launching RBAW’s presence in Eastern Washington. We look forward to increasing our presence in Eastern Washington. If you know of an opportunity that RBAW should have a presence at, please send the information to Troy Olason at : executivedirector@rbaw.org |
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Update on Swinomish Channel Dredging
The dredging is complete! RBAW Executive Director Troy Olason spoke with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative Nicole L. Celestine and she confirmed that the dredging was completed early in the week of February 10th, just ahead of scheduled February 15th completion goal.
The channel that spans approximately 11 miles, connects Padilla Bay to Skagit Bay - providing a crucial link for boaters traveling between the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Over time, sediment accumulation in the channel has caused shallow areas, particularly at low tide, creating challenges for vessels and threatening the waterway’s accessibility.
The dredging work would ensure safe passage for commercial vessels, recreational boaters, and tribal fishing operations that rely on the channel for year-round access. |
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The project not only supports the local maritime economy but also benefits nearby waterfront communities such as La Conner, a popular destination for tourists and boaters. Local yacht clubs and marinas have welcomed the improvements, citing fewer grounding incidents and smoother navigation through previously problematic stretches.
The successful dredging of the Swinomish Channel marks a significant step in preserving this critical waterway for the region’s economic and recreational vitality.
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The Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks - Small Lock Closure |
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Do you have your dock lock lines ready? The small lock will be closed for 4 months.
February 18, 2025
to
June 18, 2025
Closure info:
The small lock will be closed to vessel traffic from 0700 on Feb. 18, 2025, to 0600 on May 19, 2025, for saw cutting, concrete drilling and demolition. All loud noise and vibration-inducing work will be completed before the end of this period. The small lock will remain closed to vessel traffic for final installations and commissioning from May 19, 2025, to June 18, 2025.
Here are a couple of reminders from the lock personnel.
- Two or more 50-foot mooring lines are required.
- Fenders for both sides of the vessel. Vessels may be asked to moor on either side of the lock chamber or to another vessel.
Clink link to the boater information from the US Army corps of Engineers. |
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RBAW found a comprehensive article regarding this closure and the current state of the 108 year old locks. Engineers work to replace machinery, prevent flooding and maintain antiquated equipment all while minimizing disruption at America’s busiest locks.
Click the button below... |
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What do Government Agencies actually accomplish for boaters? Here is an inside look at how they keep us safe and our waterways clean - and why we need then to be experts in their fields... We found an insightful article on BoatUS, click the button below for a great read! |
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RBAW Legislative Committee Meeting
February 18th, 2025, | 4:00 PM - Zoom
RBAW Executive Committee Meeting
February 24th, 2025, | 4:00 PM - Zoom
RBAW Board of Directors Meeting
March 6th, 2025 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM | In-person at Seattle Yacht Club, and Zoom access RBAW Board of Directors Meeting
April 3th, 2025 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM | via Zoom RBAW Board of Directors Meeting
May 8th, 2025 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM | via Zoom |
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Where are you spending your boat dollars? Ask your vendors to invest in what's important to the Recreational Boater and Support RBAW, and get notice by our 8,000+ members Please refer them to Troy at 206.929.2757 or ExecutiveDirector@rbaw.org Platinum Member - $10,000
- Educational Speaking Consideration
- Exhibitor Table at Annual Member Meeting
- Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Member Directory Listing on RBAW Website
- 2 Social Media Spotlights with Information of your Choice
- Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Gold Member - $5,000
- Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Member Directory Listing on RBAW Website
- 1 Social Media Spotlight with Information of your Choice
- Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Silver Member - $2,500 - Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Bronze Member - $1,000 - Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Learn more about how your business can support what's important to the recreational boater in WA - and get noticed by our 8,000+ members, contact Troy at ExecutiveDirector@rbaw.org for more information. |
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Follow us on social media and join our boating community!
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