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Antifouling Paints, WA Dept. of Ecology Report – Comment Period
Antifouling Paints. Boats kept in the water are exposed to organisms like bacteria, algae, and barnacles, fouling the hulls of boats causing drag. Antifouling boat paints prevent these organisms from growing on boat hulls. Copper paints have been found to be highly...
Renewable Diesel – the Friendlier Choice
Did you know that Renewable Diesel is now here for boaters, and reduces greenhouse emissions? This clean, efficient new fuel for diesel engines is growing in popularity and availability. Renewable Diesel is a direct substitute for petroleum diesel fuel that is refined...
Historic English Sailing Vessel, Tally Ho, Being Refurbished at Port Townsend
Leo Sampson Goolden, a boatbuilder, sailor, and writer from Bristol, England is rebuilding the historic 112-year-old sailing yacht, the Tally Ho. The 48-foot yacht was designed by Albert Strange and built in West Sussex, England. Tally Ho History. The long, varied...
September 30, Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada
September 30 marks the official Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential schools in Canada. As of 2023, this special day is also a statutory holiday for workers in British Columbia. September 30 has been set aside...
Devlin’s Boatbuilding Manual – Second Edition
Sam Devlin’s updated boatbuilding manual has just arrived – literally, on August 30th, 2023. If you have ever dreamed of building your own boat, this book is a must-read, whether you want to build your own 7-foot dinghy or a 50-foot motor cruiser. This is the...
Proposed NOAA Regulation – North Atlantic Right Whale
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has proposed an expansion of its North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. Under the proposed expansion, all boats 35 feet and over are not allowed to travel faster than 10 knots within a vast area...
Discovery Art Inspires Ocean Conservation – SeaKeepers Program
The mission of The International SeaKeepers Society is to promote oceanographic research and conservation with the support of volunteer boaters. Through the DISCOVERY Yacht Program, SeaKeepers enables boats to take advantage of their unique potential to advance marine...
Ukrainian-built BRIG Ribs Back in Business
BRIG is one of the largest builders of rigid hull inflatable boats and has been designing and manufacturing Rib boats since 1991. Based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, the factory was shut down in 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thankfully, the BRIG factory in...
Summer Reading – Return to Solitude
Return to Solitude is the second book on Desolation Sound by Grant Lawrence, and it deserves to be on your summer reading list. His first book was Adventures in Solitude – What not to wear to a naked potluck and other stories from Desolation Sound. I was initially...
Roche Harbor No Longer a Customs Point of Entry
Roche Harbor is no longer a U.S. Point of Entry with CBP customs agents on site. An unstaffed CBP booth located on G Dock is available to Report Arrival via the ROAM App. Boaters can use the iPads in the unstaffed booth for reporting arrival via the ROAM App. A...
Proposed Changes Small Vessel Regulations – Canada
Canadian boaters can have their say on the proposed changes to the Small Vessel Regulations. The proposed changes to the Small Vessel Regulations for licensing a pleasure craft have been published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Canadian boaters have until July 12,...
What You Didn’t Know and Need to Know – The Hood Canal Bridge
The Hood Canal Bridge provides a critical connection for travelers to the Olympic Peninsula and an interesting passage for boaters planning to explore marine destinations in Hood Canal. Bridge repairs are scheduled for this summer, which will affect vehicle traffic...
What’s Happening? – DNR Moves Forward
On-Land Aquaculture. When Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands, announced in 2022 that commercial finfish aquaculture facilities would no longer be allowed to lease state-owned aquatic lands, she also voiced her desire to find solutions for sustainable finfish...
Genetic Inbreeding, the New Threat for Southern Resident Orcas
In 2005, Southern Resident Killer Whales or Orcas were listed as endangered species. Reasons cited included depleted prey, contaminants, and disturbance from vessel traffic and sound. Noise from vessels, military activities, and industrial activities interrupts the...
New 4th Edition of Exploring Southeast Alaska – Douglass Series
The Exploring Series of guidebooks for boaters authored by Don Douglass & Reanne Hemingway-Douglass are being painstakingly updated by Leonard & Lorena Landon, Managing Editors of the Waggoner Cruising Guide. They have taken great care in preserving the...