COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          9a 
BRIEFING ITEM                             Date of Meeting      August 11, 2020 
DATE:     May 15, 2020 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director Maritime 
Kenneth R. Lyles, Director, Maritime Operations & Security 
Jo Woods, Sr. Manager Recreational Boating 
SUBJECT:  Recreational Boating Briefing 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Recreational Boating represents one of the three enterprise-businesses in the Maritime
Portfolio; Commercial Fishing and Cruise being the other two. Recreational boating has been a
part of the Port of Seattle business portfolio since 1962, and collectively with the other three
marinas,  represents  over  1,700  moorage  customers.   Shilshole  Bay  Marina  {Shilshole}
represents the largest liveaboard client base on the West Coast, which is represented by 350
agreements and over 600 residents.
The "Three Port" Community Attributes Economic Impact Analysis published in March 2019
identified $1.6 billion dollars of Total Business Output to the Puget Sound region; over 8,400
jobs tied to the recreational boating industry and $2.6 million in moorage revenues specifically
to the Port of Seattle. Over the years, Shilshole has met ever-evolving operating regulations in
maintaining its standing as responsible stewards of these public assets and continues its
commitment to being pacesetters in environmental sustainability and ingenuity.
In this briefing, staff will share the Port of Seattle's recreational boating portfolio, which
includes  business  practices  and  community  programs;  the  commitment  to  Workforce
Development, environmental sustainability and initiatives; the rate structure and methodology,
and an update on the capital programs. 
Background 
The Port of Seattle was created in 1911, and opened its first recreational facility, Shilshole Bay
Marina, in 1962.   Shilshole Bay Marina continues to provide the recreational boating
community with first class moorage facilities located in Ballard, the commercial fishing and
recreational boating hub of the Northwest. With over 1,400 individual moorage slips, and 600
plus Liveaboard residents, Shilshole Bay Marina is also a vibrant and active community. Along
with Shilshole Bay, the Port also owns Salmon Bay, Bell Harbor, and Harbor Island Marinas. 

Template revised April 12, 2018.


COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _9a___                             Page 2 of 6 
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020 
The Covid-19 health crisis has placed a health and safety focus in the day-to-day management 
of these marinas.   As stewards of these assets, staff is taking the lead in health and safety
messaging, redesigning customer service engagement, and increasing emphasis on physical
distancing. Shilshole Bay Marina is adjacent to a City of Seattle public park, Golden Gardens. 
Day-to-day management of public areas are being managed in such a way to address the
pedestrian and parking overflows for customer safety and facility integrity.  Steps that have
been taken include the temporary closure of the two Shilshole public docks; restricted access to
the parking lot; and temporary closure of park benches and picnic tables. Customer outreach
has been developed to provide moorage relief programs, communication of health and safety
measures and  enhanced sanitation of restrooms,  shower facilities  and other high-touch
surfaces.
Covid-19 Response 
Actions taken to-date 
Emphasis on deep cleaning of marina offices and public restrooms 
Approximately 50% of staff teleworking 
Closed Bell Harbor and Shilshole Bay offices to walk-in visitors 
Installed hand sanitizer dispensers around facilities 
Developed financial relief plan 
Restricted public access to: 
o  SBM parking lot 
o  SBM plaza 
o  Picnic tables and benches 
o  Public restrooms at A-1 bldg. 
o  A-Pier and X-Dock 
Created signage similar to the City of Seattle's, "Keep It Moving" 
Installed plexiglass at front desk counters 
With Covid-19 health awareness in the forefront, staff must continue to manage marina
operations.  With this understanding, the following information provides an overview of the
critical operations that continue in these unprecedented times. 
Portfolio 
The Port owns and operates four recreational marinas in Seattle including: 
Shilshole  Bay  Marina:   The  second  largest  marina  in  the  state  of  Washington
accommodating over 1,400 recreational vessels and home to Washington's largest
liveaboard community with capacity for 350 liveaboard vessels 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _9a___                             Page 3 of 6 
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020 
Bell Harbor Marina: The only marina in downtown Seattle and is open to guests year-
round to tie up amid Seattle's iconic attractions like Pike Place Market and the Seattle
Waterfront 
Harbor Island Marina: Located south of downtown Seattle on the Duwamish River.  This
Marina is convenient to West Seattle neighborhoods and the South Sound 
Salmon Bay Marina: Just inside the Ballard Locks and next to the Ballard Bridge, it offers
both covered and uncovered freshwater monthly moorage 
Port of Seattle marinas are Puget Sound favorites and are widely regarded as the premier
boating and sailing centers of the Northwest. 
Shilshole Bay Marina: 
1,400+ slips 
350 liveaboard vessel contracts 
80% sailboats and 20% powerboats 
Tribal moorage 
Boat Yard 
Fuel Dock 
Ballard Kayak Storage 
Corinthian Yacht Club 
Business Challenges: 
Parking 
Public Transportation to/from Ballard 
Limited capacity for liveaboard demand 
Opportunities: 
Parking Analysis (underway) 
Conversation with Metro about shuttle service 
Customer Programs and Industry Engagement: 
Dock captain meetings 
Customer events: Shilshole Boatfest; Earth Day; National Night Out; and Deck the Hulls 
Industry engagement: Seattle Boat Show; Northwest Marine Trade Association; Pacific
Coast Congress; and Propeller Club 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _9a___                             Page 4 of 6 
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020 
Bell Harbor Marina: 
40 slips 
90% powerboats and 10% sailboats 
Monthly moorage during off-peak season (September-May) 
Tribal moorage 
Business Challenges: 
Plaza usage for events sharing with Cruise 
Events coinciding with monthly moorage program 
Weekday guest moorage demand 
Opportunities 
Marketing initiatives to increase weekday guest moorage 
Customer Programs and Engagement: 
Clipper Round the World 
Classic Weekend 
Trawlerfest 
Seattle Boat Show 
Harbor Island Marina: 
80 slips 
83% recreational boats 
17% commercial vessels 
Business Challenges: 
West Seattle Bridge emergency response 
Outdated restroom and shower facilities 
Opportunities 
Replacing restroom and shower facilities 
Commercial dock redevelopment 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _9a___                             Page 5 of 6 
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020 
Salmon Bay Marina 
170 slips 
90% covered slips and 10% uncovered slips 
Business Challenges: 
Capital upgrades; Roof Replace, docks D & E 

Capital Programs 
Shilshole Customer Service Buildings and Parking Lot Improvements 
Harbor Island Marina E Dock Rehabilitation 

Environmental Sustainability 
Green Marine Certified 
The Port of Seattle became the first US Port in North America to become a member of the
Green Marine program. The Green Marine program is an environmental certification program
for the North American marine industry. Shilshole Bay Marina has consistently achieved a high
level of success through the Green Marines evaluation framework. 
Enviro Stars 
The Port of Seattle's Bell Harbor, Harbor Island and Shilshole Bay Marinas are members of the
Enviro Stars program which showcases the dedication to protect the environment, become 
more efficient, and be a "Green Leader". 
Clean Marina 
As certified Clean Marinas, Bell Harbor, Harbor Island and Shilshole Bay Marinas showcase 
leadership in environmental protection. The efforts identified by the Clean Marina program
helps protect salmon, shellfish and other valuable resources as well as improving safety and
working conditions for staff and the general public. 
Earth Day 
Shilshole Bay Marina is the proud host of an annual Earth Day event involving local partners,
tenants, and the community. The annual event celebrates the Port of Seattle's commitment to
the community and environment. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _9a___                             Page 6 of 6 
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020 
Solid Waste Management 
Port Marinas strive to reduce environmental footprint from operations. The Port of Seattle has
developed a solid waste management plan to identify opportunities to increase waste diversion
to minimize the amount of wastes being disposed of in local landfills. 
2019 Financial Performance 






ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
(1)   Presentation Slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None 







Template revised September 22, 2016.