November 8, 2021
Coastal Washington — This year marks the 50th anniversary of a little-known, but highly successful mariner’s agreement known as the “Crabber/Towboat Lane Agreement,” providing a positive example of what can be accomplished between disparate groups when both parties are committed to finding common ground.
In the 1970s, conflicts between ...
Read MoreJuly 20, 2021
It will now be easier for recreational boaters to safely pump out vessel sewage and keep Washington’s waters clean with an expansion of mobile pumpout services in South Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. The
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May 14, 2021
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Washington Sea Grant, we’re digging through our photo archive to share moments from our program’s history throughout the coming year. Here is a photo from 1979 of one of WSG’s marine safety and first aid trainings, where the participants are practicing cold-water rescue. WSG helps Washington fishermen reduce risks ...
April 15, 2021
Boating season is right around the corner, and knowing where to pumpout is important for following the Puget Sound No Discharge Zone (NDZ) Rule. In August 2020, Washington Sea Grant, along with the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act ...
September 17, 2020
Attention boaters!
Do you have a few minutes to learn about marine debris and help us in our efforts to improve Washington State’s waters and beaches? You can help by taking out boater outreach survey.
Take the survey here: http://tinyurl.com/WSGSurvey
Thanks so much for your time!
Read MoreAugust 24, 2020
Washington Sea Grant, in partnership with the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant Program, is excited to announce that Pumpout Nav, a free iOS and Android app for boaters, has expanded to Washington. Boaters can now use the interactive tool to find nearly 200 pumpout ...
June 3, 2022
We know many boaters haven’t been out on the water for a while, or perhaps you are new to boating entirely. Either way, here are some videos to remind everyone of the importance of proper sewage disposal while on the water. Pumpout Washington is a program which provides boaters with designated pumpout stations to dispose of their sewage safely and efficiently. We all share these waters, and get our food from them, so remember, pump- don’t dump!
Unsure ...
Read MoreFrom the spring 2020 Sea Star print newsletter
Kimber Owen, owner of Sea Wolf Adventures, has an exceptional memory for the people that she’s taken on her 12-passenger cruise ship, which frequents Pacific Northwest jewels such as the San Juan Islands and Glacier Bay National Park. There was the police officer who wanted to propose to his girlfriend but, fearing he ...
From the autumn 2019 Sea Star print newsletter
By Brittany Hoedemaker, WSG Science Communications Fellow
Ever dream of slipping out of your dark, air-conditioned office for an afternoon boat ride under the warm mid-summer sun? We did. Our summer daydreams became a reality when Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Communications Director MaryAnn Wagner and I got a ride on Seattle’s Portage Bay with Katie Wixom and her four-legged co-captain, Roger, one sunny July day.
In partnership with State Parks, WSG leads the Pumpout ...
Read MoreNovember 18, 2019
Northwest Maritime Center receives grant for Puget Sound Fiberglass Boat Recycling plan
Beginning in the 1960’s, fiberglass became a prominent material for ship building. Durable and relatively low maintenance, fiberglass became the choice material for vessel owners. But as these vessels begin to come to the end of their lifespan, a question comes up: what should we do with ...
Read MoreAugust 1, 2019
Facility funded by State Parks’ Clean Vessel Act program
OLYMPIA – A new sewage pumpout for recreational boaters is now open at the Shaw Island General Store in the San Juan Islands. The facility is expected to serve hundreds of boaters this summer.
The idea to install a pumpout facility came from Terri and Steve Mason, longtime island residents and owners of the Shaw General Store.
“I grew up on Orcas ...
May 1, 2019
With funding from the Clean Vessel Act program, 140 pumpout stations help divert sewage from coastal and inland waters in Washington.
Washington’s recreational boaters have diverted nearly 11 million gallons of sewage from coastal and inland waters by pumping out their boat holding tanks at more than 140 public pumpout stations last year. ...
March 1, 2018
The Sea Grant programs in Alaska and Washington are releasing a new, updated edition of the popular Fishermen’s Direct Marketing Manual. As the business climate of the seafood industry evolves, many fishermen are choosing to directly market their catch in hopes of capturing more of its value so the publication’s release is timely.
Hard copies of the 5th edition of the manual, edited by Terry Johnson, are now available through Alaska Sea Grant’s online bookstore. The ...
Read MoreJanuary 3, 2018
Commerical fishermen, don’t sacrifice sleep to bring in a good catch. Fatigue increases your risk of vessel incident. For one man, fatigue cost nearly $70,000.
Read MoreAugust 17, 2017
Washington Sea Grant expands its clean marina and small oil spill prevention programs on Lake Chelan
Head down to Lake Chelan on a hot summer day, and its vast surface will be speckled with jet skis and motor boats. The locals all know there’s no better way to beat the heat in eastern Washington than to get in some quality time out on Chelan’s transparent, aquamarine water. What’s less commonly known, however, is that these very activities can ...
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