By STEPHEN L. SWANN
Spring is springing at the Port of Poulsbo. At Waterfront Park, the fragrances of fresh flowers and fresh asphalt fill the air.
The Port’s search for a new port manager is under way; a dozen applications have been received. During our transition between managers, Brad Miller is serving as interim port manager. Under our current organization, the manager also serves as harbormaster for the marina, which is in itself a full-time job.
We encourage inquiries about this vacancy. Letters of interest and resumes to the Port are encouraged; more information may be obtained by contacting the Port office at 779-9905. The application period will remain open for several more weeks.
On the subject of openings, a second vacancy has been recently filled. The Port is pleased to announce its selection of local legal counsel, the Poulsbo firm of Sherrard McGonagle Tizzano P.S. Subject matter requiring attorney input may include contracts and leases, real estate, municipal law, collections, insurance, and civil litigation.
Additionally, the commissioners and staff are happy to report that the Port of Poulsbo passed its state audit with flying colors. It was completed in December and reported on Feb. 11.
The state’s audit team confirmed what we all knew — our public assets are properly safeguarded, and the Port fully complies with state law and regulations, and its internal policies and procedures. Special recognition and another gold star is due to our staff auditor, Carol Tripp.
Weekend visitor traffic at E and F docks is picking up. Dozens of vessels representing area yacht clubs — Tacoma, Brownsville, and Puget Sound — moor at our marina in March. This is a great time for families to visit the waterfront and see boats sailing into Liberty Bay by out-of-towners, as well as vessels owned by the Port’s tenants.
Excitement continues to build as the Port diligently works to attract the larger cruise market. The Port, along with numerous Poulsbo organizations and the mayor’s office, is gearing up for the inaugural visit of the American Spirit, a 205-foot cruise ship, on Friday morning, May 3. This ship will be completing a seven-day voyage commencing in Seattle by visiting Liberty Bay, where it will anchor just outboard of the Port’s breakwater. Approximately 100 passengers will arrive by tender at the marina dock, and spend a half day visiting Poulsbo. Plans for arrival tentatively include a brass pep band, sea chantey singers, Norwegian greeters, Viking marauders, and walking tours.
American Cruise Lines, headquartered in Guilford, Conn., is planning 14 port calls in Poulsbo — on Friday mornings in May, and during September and October. Port and city planners are hopeful that interest in Liberty Bay visits will continue in 2014, and possibly be extended beyond the half-day excursions now scheduled.
Want to help our community and those charged with protecting the environment and homeland security? The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking citizen volunteers for the Citizens Action Network, also known as the Northwest Watch. The only requirements for participation are a telephone and a marine view from home or work. For details, check out the Coast Guard Thirteenth District website, www.uscg.mi./d13/can.
The Codfish Dinner and Auction will hit the waterfront March 30, 5-9 p.m. This fundraiser for the Poulsbo Historical Society will be held at the Sons of Norway; tickets are expected to again sell out well before this important event. Give the Historical Society a call at (360) 440-7354. Better yet, join up!
Port Quiz: Shockingly no one correctly identified the location of head lights on a submarine, last month’s quiz. Even old surface fleet sailors know that head lights are always in the head, the shipboard water closet.
OK, how about this one? Who has heard of pogey bait and what is it? Email your best guess to commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com. The first three responders with the correct answer will be acknowledged in The Scuttlebutt, April issue.
Want to offer a nautical quiz question for April? Just send us an email with your suggestion.
The commissioners, employees, tenants and guests of the Port of Poulsbo (www.portofpoulsbo.com) — one of 75 Washington state ports — wish you a safe visit to Poulsbo’s spectacular Waterfront Park and a safe transit on Liberty Bay. Bring your friends and families down to the Port’s marina; most of our docks are open to the public, and we are here for you. (Watch us by webcam at www.siteground315.com/~longship/.)
— Stephen L. Swann is a Port of Poulsbo commissioner. Contact him at commissioner.swann@portofpoulsbo.com
