Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
9a
BRIEFING ITEM
Date of Meeting
August 11, 2020
DATE: May 15, 2020
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director Maritime
Kenneth R. Lyles, Director, Maritime Operations & Security
Jo Woods, Sr. Manager Recreational Boating
SUBJECT: Recreational Boating Briefing
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recreational Boating represents one of the three enterprise-businesses in the Maritime
Portfolio; Commercial Fishing and Cruise being the other two. Recreational boating has been a
part of the Port of Seattle business portfolio since 1962, and collectively with the other three
marinas, represents over 1,700 moorage customers. Shilshole Bay Marina {Shilshole}
represents the largest liveaboard client base on the West Coast, which is represented by 350
agreements and over 600 residents.
The “Three Port” Community Attributes Economic Impact Analysis published in March 2019
identified $1.6 billion dollars of Total Business Output to the Puget Sound region; over 8,400
jobs tied to the recreational boating industry and $2.6 million in moorage revenues specifically
to the Port of Seattle. Over the years, Shilshole has met ever-evolving operating regulations in
maintaining its standing as responsible stewards of these public assets and continues its
commitment to being pacesetters in environmental sustainability and ingenuity.
In this briefing, staff will share the Port of Seattle’s recreational boating portfolio, which
includes business practices and community programs; the commitment to Workforce
Development, environmental sustainability and initiatives; the rate structure and methodology,
and an update on the capital programs.
Background
The Port of Seattle was created in 1911, and opened its first recreational facility, Shilshole Bay
Marina, in 1962. Shilshole Bay Marina continues to provide the recreational boating
community with first class moorage facilities located in Ballard, the commercial fishing and
recreational boating hub of the Northwest. With over 1,400 individual moorage slips, and 600
plus Liveaboard residents, Shilshole Bay Marina is also a vibrant and active community. Along
with Shilshole Bay, the Port also owns Salmon Bay, Bell Harbor, and Harbor Island Marinas.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _9a___ Page 2 of 6
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
The Covid-19 health crisis has placed a health and safety focus in the day-to-day management
of these marinas. As stewards of these assets, staff is taking the lead in health and safety
messaging, redesigning customer service engagement, and increasing emphasis on physical
distancing. Shilshole Bay Marina is adjacent to a City of Seattle public park, Golden Gardens.
Day-to-day management of public areas are being managed in such a way to address the
pedestrian and parking overflows for customer safety and facility integrity. Steps that have
been taken include the temporary closure of the two Shilshole public docks; restricted access to
the parking lot; and temporary closure of park benches and picnic tables. Customer outreach
has been developed to provide moorage relief programs, communication of health and safety
measures and enhanced sanitation of restrooms, shower facilities and other high-touch
surfaces.
Covid-19 Response
Actions taken to-date
• Emphasis on deep cleaning of marina offices and public restrooms
• Approximately 50% of staff teleworking
• Closed Bell Harbor and Shilshole Bay offices to walk-in visitors
• Installed hand sanitizer dispensers around facilities
• Developed financial relief plan
• Restricted public access to:
o SBM parking lot
o SBM plaza
o Picnic tables and benches
o Public restrooms at A-1 bldg.
o A-Pier and X-Dock
• Created signage similar to the City of Seattle’s, “Keep It Moving”
• Installed plexiglass at front desk counters
With Covid-19 health awareness in the forefront, staff must continue to manage marina
operations. With this understanding, the following information provides an overview of the
critical operations that continue in these unprecedented times.
Portfolio
The Port owns and operates four recreational marinas in Seattle including:
• Shilshole Bay Marina: The second largest marina in the state of Washington
accommodating over 1,400 recreational vessels and home to Washington’s largest
liveaboard community with capacity for 350 liveaboard vessels
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _9a___ Page 3 of 6
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
• Bell Harbor Marina: The only marina in downtown Seattle and is open to guests year-
round to tie up amid Seattle’s iconic attractions like Pike Place Market and the Seattle
Waterfront
• Harbor Island Marina: Located south of downtown Seattle on the Duwamish River. This
Marina is convenient to West Seattle neighborhoods and the South Sound
• Salmon Bay Marina: Just inside the Ballard Locks and next to the Ballard Bridge, it offers
both covered and uncovered freshwater monthly moorage
Port of Seattle marinas are Puget Sound favorites and are widely regarded as the premier
boating and sailing centers of the Northwest.
Shilshole Bay Marina:
• 1,400+ slips
• 350 liveaboard vessel contracts
• 80% sailboats and 20% powerboats
• Tribal moorage
• Boat Yard
• Fuel Dock
• Ballard Kayak Storage
• Corinthian Yacht Club
Business Challenges:
• Parking
• Public Transportation to/from Ballard
• Limited capacity for liveaboard demand
Opportunities:
• Parking Analysis (underway)
• Conversation with Metro about shuttle service
Customer Programs and Industry Engagement:
• Dock captain meetings
• Customer events: Shilshole Boatfest; Earth Day; National Night Out; and Deck the Hulls
• Industry engagement: Seattle Boat Show; Northwest Marine Trade Association; Pacific
Coast Congress; and Propeller Club
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _9a___ Page 4 of 6
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
Bell Harbor Marina:
• 40 slips
• 90% powerboats and 10% sailboats
• Monthly moorage during off-peak season (September-May)
• Tribal moorage
Business Challenges:
• Plaza usage for events sharing with Cruise
• Events coinciding with monthly moorage program
• Weekday guest moorage demand
Opportunities
• Marketing initiatives to increase weekday guest moorage
Customer Programs and Engagement:
• Clipper Round the World
• Classic Weekend
• Trawlerfest
• Seattle Boat Show
Harbor Island Marina:
• 80 slips
• 83% recreational boats
• 17% commercial vessels
Business Challenges:
• West Seattle Bridge emergency response
• Outdated restroom and shower facilities
Opportunities
• Replacing restroom and shower facilities
• Commercial dock redevelopment
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _9a___ Page 5 of 6
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
Salmon Bay Marina
• 170 slips
• 90% covered slips and 10% uncovered slips
Business Challenges:
• Capital upgrades; Roof Replace, docks D & E
Capital Programs
• Shilshole Customer Service Buildings and Parking Lot Improvements
• Harbor Island Marina E Dock Rehabilitation
Environmental Sustainability
Green Marine Certified
The Port of Seattle became the first US Port in North America to become a member of the
Green Marine program. The Green Marine program is an environmental certification program
for the North American marine industry. Shilshole Bay Marina has consistently achieved a high
level of success through the Green Marines evaluation framework.
Enviro Stars
The Port of Seattle’s Bell Harbor, Harbor Island and Shilshole Bay Marinas are members of the
Enviro Stars program which showcases the dedication to protect the environment, become
more efficient, and be a “Green Leader”.
Clean Marina
As certified Clean Marinas, Bell Harbor, Harbor Island and Shilshole Bay Marinas showcase
leadership in environmental protection. The efforts identified by the Clean Marina program
helps protect salmon, shellfish and other valuable resources as well as improving safety and
working conditions for staff and the general public.
Earth Day
Shilshole Bay Marina is the proud host of an annual Earth Day event involving local partners,
tenants, and the community. The annual event celebrates the Port of Seattle’s commitment to
the community and environment.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _9a___ Page 6 of 6
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
Solid Waste Management
Port Marinas strive to reduce environmental footprint from operations. The Port of Seattle has
developed a solid waste management plan to identify opportunities to increase waste diversion
to minimize the amount of wastes being disposed of in local landfills.
2019 Financial Performance
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
(1) Presentation Slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
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