News – Page 177 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

06 Dec

WPPA Awards Lifetime Membership

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Outgoing Port of Vancouver USA Commissioner Jerry Oliver was recently lauded as an Honorary Lifetime Member by the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA). Oliver was presented with the award on Nov. 22 at the WPPA Annual Convention in Tacoma, Wash. He was chosen for his outstanding leadership and service in the port industry. As a commissioner, Oliver played a key role in the $250 million West Vancouver Freight Access project to extend the port’s rail system from 11 to nearly 50 miles. “Jerry Oliver’s impact on the Washington Public Ports Association has been monumental,” said WPPA President Don Meyer. “He…

06 Dec

Newest Everett Commissioner

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Port of Everett’s newest commissioner, District 1 Port Commissioner-Elect David Simpson, was sworn in last week, taking over for former District 1 Port Commissioner Bruce Fingarson. US Navy veteran Simpson comes to the port with more than 45 years of experience in the public and private sectors, including 30 years in the aviation industry – 24 years in manufacturing engineering for The Boeing Co. and six years as an aviation mechanic for the navy. His public service career includes the Washington State House of Representatives 38th District, Everett City Council, City of Everett Planning Commission, Snohomish County Charter Review Commission,…

06 Dec

Sea Level Defense

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

This week, leaders from the Port of Redwood City and other California ports gathered for the “Strategies for Storms, Flooding and Sea Level Defense” conference in Oakland, Calif. Port Executive Director Kristine A. Zortman shared the port’s efforts to proactively address issues related to higher sea levels, storm surges and flooding. Approximatively $17 million will be dedicated to making the port ready to tackle major emergencies, including an investment in a wharf that can withstand from three to five feet of sea level rise, and an 8.9 magnitude earthquake. “Our port has been designated as the only federal staging area…

06 Dec

Coast Guard Cities

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

The cities of Cordova, Alaska, and Westport, Washington have been designated by US Coast Guard as Coast Guard Cities through 2024. The designation reflects a community’s close relationship with the agency. The two municipalities, which plan to celebrate the designation early next year, are among 28 others with the special title. Cities may retain the designation for five years before having to recertify for the status. Cordova – population 2,205 people – is situated in Prince William Sound in Coast Guard District 17 and is the region’s biggest commercial fishing port. The agency has been in the Alaskan city since…

03 Dec

Christmas Ships to Call Camas-Washougal

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

The 65th annual Christmas Ships Parade returns to the Port of Camas-Washougal on the historic Columbia River on Dec 7. The port will host as many as 30 decorated vessels for a special performance of this local tradition. Free hot cider and cookies will be served in the port’s meeting room for those wanting to escape the cold. Carolers from Washougal High School will add to the evening’s festivities. The event is free. Doors open to the public at 5 p.m., with the parade set to begin at 6 p.m. at 24 South A Street in Washougal. For more information,…

03 Dec

Long Beach Port Offers Park Funding

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Six projects aimed toward augmenting greenspace and parks recently received a boost of more than $4.3 million from the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. Recipients of the Port of Long Beach Community Grants Program include: • City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services –$21,472 for Stephens Middle School edible garden • Camp Fire Angeles – $645,286 for Discovery Trail at DeForest Park • The Salvation Army – $670,000 for the Red Shield Youth and Community Center at Long Beach Boulevard and Spring Street • City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine – $981,280…

03 Dec

New Portland Commissioners

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Katherine Lam and Meg Niemi are the newest members of the nine-member Port of Portland Commission, replacing outgoing Commissioners Tom Chamberlain and Gary Young. Lam, who is president and co-owner of Bambuza Hospitality Group, and Niemi, who has been president of SEIU Local 49 for more than 13 years, were appointed by Gov. Kate Brown. The Oregon Senate approved the appointments Nov. 20. “It's a great honor to serve the Port of Portland in this capacity,” said Lam. “Portland has an award-winning international airport with an exciting expansion ahead of it. I look forward to building on that momentum to…

03 Dec

Long Beach to Discuss On-Dock Rail

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

The Port of Long Beach is inviting stakeholders to a community meeting to discuss Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, the key component of the port’s $1 billion rail improvement program. The facility will allow cargo to be placed on trains rather than trucks when it arrives at marine terminals, curbing truck use in the area. According to the port, the first arrival, departure and storage tracks are set to be operational in 2024, with more tracks being completed in 2030. The project is expected to be finalized in 2032. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m., at the…

27 Nov

Seattle Seeks Cruise Terminal Input

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

The Port of Seattle is seeking input on a proposed cruise terminal at Terminal 46. The public will have until 4 p.m. on Nov. 13 to weigh in on the proposal, which calls for the development of a new 29-acre cruise terminal that would meet the growing demands of the port’s cruise business. A pair of EIS Public Scoping Meetings/Open Houses, which will provide an opportunity to hear more about the project and weigh in on its potential environmental impact, are scheduled for the coming weeks. Feedback will be gathered and considered for the project’s SEPA analysis. The first meeting…

27 Nov

Seattle Meeting to Discuss Marine Noise

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Leading maritime agencies gathered in Seattle recently to discuss efforts to curb underwater noise that is harming endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Representatives of the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Northwest Seaport Alliance, Washington State Ferries, NOAA, and the Puget Sound Partnership teamed to bring about a workshop that could help lower the noise pollution for the orcas, who have a hard time hunting and communicating underwater because of the noise. “It was heartening to have such a broad range of expertise in the same room committed to tackling the critical issue of orca survival in the Salish Sea,”…