Tenants Displeased and Disappointed in Dealing with Shilshole Bay Marina
Below are letters expressing their exasperation with the current policies of Shilshole Bay Marina, followed by responses to each case by Shilshole Bay Marina General Manager, Sharon Briggs.
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Giving Notice to Shilshole Marina
Dear Ms. Briggs,
Please consider this my 30-day notice that I intend to terminate my moorage lease at Shilshole Bay Marina. My last day will be October 31st. After 12 years of happy sailing, I am forced to leave due to the worst case of customer service I have ever experienced in my life.
The first 10 years I spent at Shilshole were fantastic. The staff was always friendly and professional and I felt they were looking out for me and my boat. Then, you forced Charlie's Restaurant out and tore down the building to build yourself a nice office. Then, I spent a winter rafted up on the central pier so you could replace the docks. But that was OK. I was still with you. I thought it would all be fine when you finished the dock project.
Then, I received a letter (I still have it) saying that my Tartan 30 was 30.2 feet long and I would need to move to a 34 foot slip. I did the math; that is 2.4 inches over 30 feet. Later, I found out the 30 foot slips are actually 30 feet, 4 inches long. I explained all this to you, expecting common sense and the friendly, professional attitude I'd always experienced in the past. To my amazement, you replied that the rule said a boat can be no longer than 30.0 feet even though the slip was 4 inches longer than that. You told me the rule had nothing to do with safety; it was only to ensure that everyone was treated fairly.
I appealed to the Port Commissioners and, again to my amazement, Mr. Creighton replied that the rule had to be 30.0 feet so that slip holders could understand it. Apparently, the Port's opinion of their customer's intelligence is not very high.
Over the next several months (as you can see in the email chain below) I pointed out several boats, on my dock alone, that did not fit your 30.0 rule. You gave me several excuses as to why you could not follow your own rule. When I asked to be charged at the same rate as these other boats, you claimed that any boat that was larger than it's slip at Shilshole was being charged at the larger slip rate. You said this was the case, even if you had no larger slips available to move them into. If that really is true, you are treating those customers even worse than you have treated me.
We all know that the only reason you can act like this is the fact that you have a monopoly on the best marina location in the Seattle area. As soon as I leave, you will fill my slip with a new customer that does not mind the extra $600 a year for those unnecessary 4 feet. Soon, you will have a marina full of gleaming white powerboats owned by well-healed boaters that won't complain so much. Of course, you will need to find a way to get rid of those pesky live-a-boards, but with the customer service I've seen, I think you can do it.
I would appreciate a reply that you received my 30-day notice.
Regretfully,
Brian Mulligan
S/V Jester
Dear Mr. Mulligan,
I can assure you that we are treating everyone fairly and with consideration for each person's situation. There are several boats in the marina that are too big for their slip. In each case, we are working with the boater to find the boat an appropriate size slip. This can take time as there are very few slips available in the marina at this time. In the worst case, and one that we hope to avoid, the customer will have to find moorage elsewhere.
A boat that is too large for a slip is being charged at the higher rate.
Sharon Briggs
General Manager, Recreational Boating
Real Estate & Property Management, Harbor Services
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Shilshole Bay Marina Should Require Tenents to Have Insurance
Every boat owner at Shilshole Bay Marina should know the risks associated with mooring in a marina that does not require insurance. Shilshole is one of the only marinas in the state that does not require at least liability insurance of marina tenants. This puts our boats and the tax payers at an a huge risk.
Recently my boat was severely damaged by an uninsured boat owner at Shilshole Marina. The owner was doing extensive grinding on a large wood and metal vessel, the hot particles landed on my boat burning into the gel coat. This work clearly violated the Best Management Practices that the ports are legally obligated to enforce. The Port's position is that they have no responsibility for the damage, no responsibility to monitor owners who damage other boats or the violations to environmental laws.
My discussions with the management showed a long and stalled process has been underway to require insurance, but that the manager, Sharon Briggs, has a personal agenda that is in conflict with the interests of the boat owners. Her reason for not pushing this change seems to come from a belief that requiring insurance would "drive out the derelicts and that is not right". In my case she was clearly more empathic to the uninsured boat owner, who broke every environmental law in the book, and refused to take financial responsibility, than she was to me, the victim. I was told in no uncertain terms, "if you do not like it, move."
I would urge all of my neighbors at Shilshole to contact their Port Commissioners and demand that our interests be protected immediately. Your boat could be next!!!
Capt. Brian Calvert
As the general manager of Shilshole Bay Marina I have spent many years serving this unique and wonderful community of recreational boaters. I know that every marina employee here is committed to making sure our customers are provided the best service and facilities available, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to Captain Calvert's letter.
To better provide for our customers, we formed an Insurance Task Force earlier this year to take a hard look at this issue in order to define what type of insurance; how much insurance would be required; the possible impacts for some boaters to obtain insurance (i.e. for older boats or wooden boats) and the process to manage over 2000 individual policies.
It is highly likely that insurance will be a requirement at Shilshole and our other marinas in the near future. We are now finalizing a recommendation that will be reviewed by our Senior Management and Port Commissioners. I expect that our recommendations will be supported.
However, I am sensitive that some people will have difficulty obtaining affordable insurance and that others may not be able to obtain coverage and will have to seek moorage elsewhere. Regardless of the insurance issue, we do not allow derelict vessels in our facilities. Our policy has always been that all boats be without hazardous conditions, seaworthy and ready for immediate cruising in local waters. Vessel owners may be asked to prove seaworthiness of their vessel at any time.
In regard to the damages made to Captain Calvert's vessel, we have met with both parties involved regarding his claim and have advised Captain Calvert to seek resolution through his own insurance company and/or other legal means. We also informed the boater performing work on his vessel to review our strict Best Management Practices that clearly spell out that only minor touch-up work is allowed and that work such as sanding or painting must be contained and that any work beyond that should be done in a boatyard.
Staff here at Shilshole Bay Marina are committed to protecting taxpayer assets and doing a thorough job of evaluating the best way to proceed and provide our boaters with as much information and advance notice as possible on any policy changes.
Finally, Captain Calvert was never told that "if you don't like it, move." The Shilshole Bay Marina prides itself on its long record of customer service, and would never speak to a customer in such an unprofessional manner. After Captain Calvert expressed concern for his safety, we acted immediately to redress his problem by offering to find him another slip in the marina.
Shilshole Bay Marina has provided safe moorage for nearly 1500 boat owners over its near half-century of serving the community. Because of our focus on customer and boat safety, we have experienced very few boat fires, boats sinking, accidents or theft. Other safety practices include our Marina Watch Program, Best Management Practices, marina staff here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and over 300 liveaboard boaters who provide additional eyes and ears and often are first responders when any emergency situation occurs.
Sharon Briggs
General Manager, Recreational Boating
Real Estate & Property Management, Harbor Services
Comment on Recent Tragic Boating Accidents
The recent tragic boating accidents have blown up a tempest of anger and concern not only in the boating community but outside of the sport as well. Some observers are blaming the accidents on poor training of the operators, lack of law enforcement and ineffective penalties for the offenders. Some boating citizens cry out for stricter control of ownership or for mandatory Marine License requirements, heavy fines and/or imprisonment. Some call for more safety education or competency tests.
We all are concerned... For about a week... Then it's mostly forgotten.
At the time we all agree that SPEED is the culprit. Everyone, in chorus, shouts for a solution... There is NO solution. The problem is within us. SPEED...
We seek it, we are addicted to it, we worship it.
Our minds have been so programmed to the concept of Speed, that now we judge SUCCESS by it.
We train our young to be fast, think fast, live fast.
We eat, play and love ...Fast.
We joke and deride the Old and Slow.
We demand fast computers. We listen to fast music
It's Speed we crave, so we design it into our cars, planes and boats,
We sell Speed like any other commodity... The "Sizzle" of any product. We justify speed by saying things like, "It develops NEW products", "It's necessary to be competitive in the world" or "Fast is FUN." We all have been so locked into the "Idea of Speed" we celebrate it with ribbons medals and trophies.
All our modern sports are Speed driven. We are the head of the dog... hanging out of the car window. We love the wind in our face.
"Not me! " you say? Are you driving over the posted speed limit most of the time? Do you get angry having to wait in line? Did you buy that car/boat because it was advertised as "Fast?"
Is RACING what you excitedly look forward to? Did you buy that large outboard so you can get the dinghy "on plane?"
Do you praise or encourage your young to be the Fastest (Best)? Do you think that speed is FUN?
While as tragic as the boating accidents are, the real tragedy lies within us. No Law or Regulation will save us from ourselves. "Not me!" you say? You're kidding yourself if you think you're not as guilty as the person who drives his boat into another. And sadly, you and I will not change our thinking about how important Speed is to us.
There's only one possible salvation. That is that we start now by teaching our children that there are other things more important than speed. That Speed, whether in a car or boat, is the expression of an overactive ego. A weakness. That to go fast with no real need isn't "Cool" or smart. It's just plain stupid.
We had better start soon or we'll be reading about our own grandchild's death, smashed to pieces in a "Go Fast" on some highway or waterway.
Until that happens, I mourn the thousands of innocent boaters and drivers lost in that HORROR... The NEED for SPEED.
Ralph E. Ahseln
s/v Oblio
Gresham OR
You Deserve to be Paid
Hello from Paris, France,
It's time we ordered your super magazine. I've been grabbing copies from the Boater's World for several years and guilt has finally overcome me! You deserve to be paid for your fine service. Please begin my subscription for the October issue if possible.
We visited the French National Maritime Museum a couple of days ago. It is strictly historical with a fine collection of paintings and models, but only one full size craft that Napoleon Boneparte I used while he was emperor. All things are accessible by Metro in Paris and I recommend that method for travel. Many barges on the Seine River make for an interesting, floating exhibit from the banks.
Keep up your fine work. Thanks for all the years you've given your readers.
Sincerely yours,
Frank Dare
Olympia, WA
Enjoying Our Passion on the Water
As commodore of the Macgregor Yacht Club BC, I want to thank you for posting our events and some stories in your magazine. Through your venue we reached a wide range of Mac owners from all over the states with much interest from Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon and California and had many visit our waters between Seattle and Princess Louisa falls.
If you want to post this thank you note go right ahead. You can visit our website mycbc.ca, create yourself a membership and sneak the best photo in our gallery on Sucia Island and add it to your paper.
In the future, if you create a Club Chatbox we will be glad to supply your readership with stories, events and pictures. Getting people together to enjoy our passion on the water is what it is all about.
Many thanks, Richard,
Steven L. St-Amour
Commodore, MYCBC
You Mac owners sure have a lot of fun, both in Canada and the US. You're certainly welcome to put any stories, events and pictures on our forum at 48north.com under general sailing. We'd love to see them. We made the forum, just like the magazine, as a place to share "our passion on the water."
Are Sunstones Still Available
Great article on the sunstones! ("The Vikings Used 'Magic' Crystals to Navigate," 48 North, September 2008) I found it fascinating! However, you (or the author) did not include any information on availabilty of the sunstones today. I realize they may not be as plentiful as they were in the Viking's times... but, are they still available?
Keep up the great work ! I always enjoy reading your magazine, and I'm glad you ship it down here to California!
Thank you !
Derk Akerson
Central Coast of California
We passed Derk's question on to Marlin Greene, OneEarth Press, publishers of the book "Secrets of the Viking Navigators."
This is in response to Derk Akerson's question that was addressed to 48° North magazine about the availability of sunstones. Richard Hazelton is correct in his response that the quality of the calcite crystals on the market today is much below the quality of those stones from Iceland to which the Vikings had access. The government of Iceland now forbids the export of the crystals, rightly considering them a national treasure.
The old, authentic Icelandic stones can sometimes be found at gem shows. They are usually labeled as calcite crystals - the term "sunstone" is not in common use by gemologists and collectors. They are immediately identifiable by their water clarity, their unusual shape, and, of course, the double refraction of light.
Occasionally you can find calcite crystals on eBay, usually the ones still being mined primarily in Mexico and places other than Iceland. Due to the impurities they contain, they are generally cloudy and have imperfect shapes. They do show the double refraction property, however, when you can see through the stone.
I have a few of the Mexican stones that I pass out to interested parties who request one when they order a copy of our book. Again, these are NOT the perfect Icelandic stones but imperfect Mexican crystals, recently mined.
Thank you for the interest in sunstones and Viking navigation.
Marlin Greene
One Earth Press
Seattle, WA 98107
marlin@3hats.com
http://www.OneEarthPress.com
Publishers of "Secrets of the Viking Navigators"
Beautiful Toba and Bute Inlets in Danger
I don't know if your readers are interested in what the BC government is allowing in Toba and Bute Inlets with regards to building 1000 megawatts of hydropower in upstream inflow projects. If you have been up Salmon Inlet, off the Sechelt Peninsula, you can see firsthand the industrialization of what was once a beautiful place. You won't see any of the actual generating facilities but you will see the power lines and, in the case of Bute Inlet, a giant substation. These places outside of the existing logging are incredibly beautiful and rival some of our national parks in both Canada and the U.S.
Neither of these inlets seem to draw the yachting popularity of, say, Desolation Sound, but Toba has hundreds of water falls cascading thousands of vertical feet off of the 6000-foot mountains lining the fiord! Some cascading directly into the inlet itself. Bute Inlet has the highest vertical rises of any inlet close to Seattle and the Vancouver metro areas. Mount Sir Francis Drake has a relief of over 8800 vertical feet and it, like other high peaks, is capped with large glaciers clearly visible from the fiord!
The real drawback is the lack of anchorages. The few that exist are all taken up with log dumps; their broken booms making anchoring tough but not impossible. These dumps are in most cases scars on the landscape and, in some cases, literally dumps of old equipment left from another era of trashing the environment. The BC government could do a lot to clean up the mess, including the falling apart log booms, and in their place installing anchoring bouys.
I am writing this in the hopes of informing the boating community of what will be lost and the potential of what could be! Don't let what happened to Yosemite National Park with the building of the Hetch Hetchy dam and Reservoir! With public input, maybe these projects can be built with less impact to the scenic beauty of these areas. They are truly magnificent places!
Rick Hoffmann
Caston, a Lifetime Reader of 48° North
I'm not sure if you remember, but we sent in a photo that was in the November '06 Issue. Anyway, it was a shot of our son, Caston Van, sitting on the Holder 20 (in the driveway). Well, here he is two years later on the Melges 24 (at the boatyard).
He does sail, even though the photos are all on the hard. Anyway, I thought you might like to see that he is still reading your magazine!
Take care,
Jeremy & Stephanie Norris
New home for Thirteenth District Coast Guard Blog
SEATTLE - The Thirteenth Coast Guard District's blog has moved to a new location.
The blog has been in use since January and is a place for Coast Guard members from the Pacific Northwest to post about the goings on of their individuals units. In the past, contributors have posted about such things as Coast Guard missions, new resources and technology and even a ghost story.
The blog's new location is . Interested parties may subscribe to automatically receive new posts from the site. Posts are frequent. Comments are welcome.
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District
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