A Message to the Port of Everett Boating Community During COVID-19 Response

To our valued boating community:

I hope this message finds you staying well and taking care of yourself and your family as we all continue to navigate these uncharted waters related to COVID-19. While these are uncertain times, its promising to see the positive progress being made in our community as a result of the collective effort taking place to reduce the spread of the virus.

With the sun making its appearance recently, it reminds us that this would typically be the time of year when the Marina comes alive with boaters preparing for a season on the water, visiting with fellow dock neighbors, heading out for a day of fishing with friends. This year looks different; Opening Day of Boating, yacht club events and other social gatherings have been cancelled, the Department of Fish and Wildlife has suspended fishing and crabbing seasons, and various businesses may be closed or working under modified operations.

It’s important to recognize that while the fun may be delayed for now, our primary concern is the health and well-being of Port staff, our customers and the greater community. We appreciate the efforts of those of you in our boating community who are adhering to Governor Inslee’s statewide Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders and outdoor guidance currently in effect through May 4. Whether you are working the front lines, serving in essential services, or are hunkered down at home (or aboard your boat as a registered liveaboard), all your efforts are making a difference.

If your contact information is up to date in our database, you should be receiving regular updates from Port leadership regarding our Emergency Operations status via AlertSense (our text and e-mail system). I wanted to highlight a few items and ask for your continued support, patience and understanding as we work through this time together.

REMOTE MARINA OFFICE
The Port is currently operating under Emergency Operations through May 4, or until the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is lifted. During this time, the Port's Marina Offices are closed to the public, but our team is available to assist you remotely by phone and e-mail on a limited basis daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All calls and e-mails are being monitored and responded to as quickly as possible.

REDUCED MAINTENANCE STAFFING
We have limited on-site staffing in our Marina Operations division at this time. This is to ensure adherence to appropriate social/physical distancing and the health and safety of our teams. Please be patient and understanding as we assist you.

NO CHANGES TO PORT SECURITY
Port security is considered essential personnel, especially during times of Emergency Operations. There are no changes in security staffing; however, security has been directed to maintain appropriate social/physical distancing. As a reminder, Port Security’s primary responsibility is to protect Port property. Continue to be vigilant and secure your personal property as you normally would. Everett Police Department should continue to be your first call in emergency situations.

MODIFIED FUEL DOCK OPERATIONS
Gas stations are listed as an essential service function under the Governor’s orders. The Port’s fuel dock must remain available to support neighboring U.S. Navy and Coast Guard assets, life safety services, and commercial fishing vessels. Currently, the fuel dock is operating on a modified service schedule, three days a week (Thursday – Saturday; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; closed Sunday – Wednesday). The fuel dock is only accepting card payments (no cash), to limit close contact. Please stay by your vessel until the fuel dock attendant lets you know the dispenser is activated and ready for you to use. Please be patient, as fueling and making payment may take longer than usual. Again, we ask that customers respect and adhere to appropriate social/physical distancing (at least 6-feet). If we find that customers are not respecting this, we may need to shut down the fuel dock temporarily. 

HAULOUT OPERATIONS
The Port’s haulout is also operating as an essential service to support emergency response, commercial tenants and marine repair. Scheduling is being handled remotely by phone and e-mail. We ask that if customers are present during their haul that they respect and maintain appropriate social/physical distancing (at least 6-feet) to protect themselves and our staff the entire time. Currently we are not doing any engine or mast work due to challenges with keeping social distance with those jobs.

RESTRICTED BOAT LAUNCH USE
At this time, half the launch lanes at the boat launch are closed, with restricted access to support life safety functions, essential commercial uses, tribal access, transportation access to neighboring Hat Island and limited recreational use, as deemed appropriate under the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. If the Port notices a large public presence at the launch in violation of the Governor’s order to stay home, the Port reserves the right to close the boat launch entirely.

TRAILS & PUBLIC SPACE USE
The Port of Everett is a waterfront community. We have a neighborhood of about 150 registered liveaboards who live on their boats and there are many workers supporting essential services at the waterfront. This area is also part of Everett’s Northwest Neighborhood. The Port recognizes the need and importance of getting outside in your neighborhood to go for a walk and take in the fresh air as appropriate under the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order and outside guidance. That said, we ask that all of those who are using Port trails and open space do so responsibly and with community health in mind. We have kept our trails and open spaces available (dusk – dawn) so long as users are adhering to all public health guidance and no social gatherings take place. We will continue to evaluate this if it becomes an issue. (Note: Edgewater Beach in South Everett is closed, and Union Slough seasonal closure has been extended).

RESTROOMS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
All marina restrooms are closed to the public. The Port is maintaining operation of the three (3) main restroom facilities, one located in each Marina basin (South, Central and North Dock) to remain accessible to Marina slipholders 24/7 via fob access only. These restrooms are being cleaned regularly, but they are shared amongst our boating community. It’s a good rule of thumb to treat the restrooms, and any other Port facilities, as you would any other highly visited places, such as a grocery store.

ALL SPECIAL EVENTS SUSPENDED
All events at the waterfront have been cancelled, suspended or postponed until the Governor lifts the ban on events and social gatherings. This includes the Everett Half Marathon, Island Adventures Whale Watching Tours, Marina Cleanup Day, Tall Ships, Food Truck Fridays, Opening Day of Boating events, in-person boating club gatherings and trainings, etc.

I encourage you to stay up to date at our COVID-19 webpage at www.portofeverett.com/covid-19. There is a FAQ sheet that continues to be updated as questions arise and are addressed. Our team is doing their best to take care of the Marina and boating community during this time. We will get through this together, and please know that my (virtual) door is always open. Contact me if you have any questions.

Be safe and stay healthy.
JEFF LINDHOUT
Chief of Marina Operations
O: 425.388.0669 | C: 360.927.4043
jefflin@portofeverett.com

<a href="http://www.portofeverett.com/news_detail_T31_R80.php">Your Link Name</a>