The 30-ton marine travel lift at Blaine Harbor has been repaired and re-certified, according to Blaine harbormaster Andy Peterson. The news was part of a harbor update given to Port of Bellingham commissioners at their November 18 regular commission meeting.
Peterson also detailed progress to date on the harbor’s do-it-yourself boatyard project, saying the port was working with the city on permitting issues to allow a temporary Phase One boatyard operation. This will allow boat owners to work on their boats “on the hard” instead of while moored in the harbor. Phase Two, involving permanent improvements to the upland to support the long-term boatyard, will occur after the environmental cleanup of the former Westman boatyard site. Peterson referred to this work as “significant” and said it would take from 18 to 24 months to complete.
He added that a consultant had been retained to assist with permitting and paperwork that would be required to obtain a general boatyard permit from the state.
In other Port of Bellingham news, the port will hold a public hearing on December 9 at 2 p.m. as part of the process to establish the new commissioner districts following voter approval in the November general election to expand the commission from three to five members. Public comment will be received on the draft redistricting plan. At their regular December 16 meeting, commissioners will consider approval to the redistricting plan and assign numbers to districts.
