PORT ORCHARD & BREMERTON MARINA FALL UPDATE

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." -Kenneth Grahame, Writer

Fall Boating: 6 Reasons to Keep Boating into Autumn

We hope you are doing well and enjoying the change of seasons this fall. With autumn upon us, there are still many beautiful boating days to be out on the water to truly enjoy nature, pursue fishing, visit local destinations, and the best aspects of our local waterways. Crisp mornings and fall colors are almost upon us, and fall is one of the best times to go boating. Here’s why:

1. It’s Quieter: Since most people prefer boating in warm weather, fall boating means launch docks and marinas are less crowded. So, too, are popular destinations and anchorages, which you might find you have all to yourself in the Autumn months.

2. It's Perfect for Enjoying Fall Foliage: What better way to take in the crimsons, oranges, and more fall foliage than by boat? The reflection of the bright colors in the water is equally magical, so be sure to pack your camera. Beautiful autumn foliage outings are always special, but when seen from a boat, the experience can be magical.

3. Bird-Watching Abounds: Just as colorful leaves are all around, so are migratory coastal birds species. Turn bird watching into a fun game by assigning different species listed in guidebooks to each family member and passing out pairs of binoculars. Whoever checks off the most species gets to pick a dock-and-dine destination for dinner.

4. Cool, Crisp Air is Invigorating: Especially with hotter summer days this year, you'll appreciate the break with cooler autumn weather.  Remember, though, that as much fun as the wind in your hair is, you should pack sweatshirts, blankets, and maybe even gloves and hats. The mercury drops quickly as autumn extends, plus the shorter days mean less sunlight  Layers, layers, layers. Wear layers when boating in the fall, and always bring an extra set of clothes in case you get wet.

5. Starry Skies Shine So Bright: Clear crips skies also provide an opportunity to stargaze, spotting constellation, and to see the occasional northern lights in Washington skies. Orion is one of the most easily recognized constellations in the sky. Google Sky, skyview, sky map, and other abundant apps and websites can tell you what's readily visible for overnights on the water.

6. Fall Boating Also Means Fall Fishing and shellfish seasons: Angling aficionados are especially eager to catch salmon, and other saltwater species in the Puget Sound for the season. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife or WDFW (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing) provides all the information, maps, recreational fishing and shellfish licenses, and limits to help make your fall fishing trips a great success. The WDFW also provides a mobile smartphone app that can provide all the information on the fly, wherever you are boating. https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/app.

Source: Discover Boating

MARINA PUBLIC DOCKS ACCESS HOURS CHANGING AND SEASONAL MARINA OFFICE CLOSURES

October brings changes to our seasonal hours for the marinas. The access to both the Port Orchard Breakwater and Bremerton Breakwater public docks shifting to winter hours for public access from 7 AM to 7 PM. Marina access gates will be closing to the public at 7 PM but still open to tenants and visiting boaters. The Port Orchard Fuel Dock will be open during the winter, seven days a week 9 am to 4:30 PM, except for holidays.  The Bremerton and Port Orchard marina offices have shifted to seasonal hours Tuesday to Saturday 9 Am to 5 PM and will be closing on Sundays and Mondays. Online payments or reservations still may occur anytime on the Port of Bremerton website portal. https://www.portofbremerton.org/marinas Also don’t forget to set your clocks back on November 3, 2024.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS AT PORT OF BREMERTON MARINAS

The Port Orchard and Bremerton Marinas at the Port of Bremerton have great things happening this year.  https://www.portofbremerton.org/community  Halloween falls on Thursday night, October 31, 2024, and is a fun time for all with costumes and trick or treating on the waterfront in both Port Orchard and Bremerton.  Local events are fun for kids, family and adults.

Port Orchard Boo Bash Saturday October 26, 3 – 5 PM

The Saturday before Halloween is designated as our annual Boo Bash event! Store owners and community members decorate Bay Street and create fun environments for kids and families to trick or treat safely. More information is provided https://www.pobsa.com/boobash

Bremerton 26^th Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Street, Thursday October 31

Join the Downtown Bremerton Association for the 26th Annual event. The streets will be closed and pedestrian safe! We’ll have loads of candy, & music. Participating businesses on Pacific and 4th will hand out candy to your ghouls and goblins! Public restrooms available at the Admiral Theater. Free parking at the Washington Ave. & 4th Street garage. https://www.facebook.com/HalloweenSafeTrickOrTreat

MEET THE BOAT GEEKS, A UNIQUE NORTHWEST BOATING AND MARINE PODCAST

TRASH COLLECTION AT THE MARINAS: MARINA RULES AND REGULATIONS SECTION 3.14

Trash collection at the marinas is offered with waste cans on the docks for household waste only. Recently, debris dumped on docks is not consistent with marina rules and regulations section 3.14. Construction refuse, large parts, lumber, fixtures, and other waste are directed to be taken to the local recycling center (dump), and not deposited at the marina docks and floats.  Debris and refuse is not to be placed upon marina finger slips or docks. Recycle bins are also solely for accepted recycle materials.  At the Port Orchard Marina, dumpsters are located at the G dock near Sidney Avenue and the library.



Marina Rules and Regulations: 

https://www.portofbremerton.org/media/dynamic/files/1273_2021-07-01_Marina_Rules_and_Regulations.pdf

PORT ORCHARD MARINA & BREMERTON MARINA NIGHTTIME SECURITY

The Port of Bremerton has employed numerous measures to enhance the safety and security for our tenants, including signage, access gates, and cameras. The Port also employed SAFE Security to provide nightly roving patrol which patrol our facilities nightly and offer immediate on-site assistance at the marinas, parking, parks, and facilities along the Port Orchard and Bremerton waterfronts. 

There are additional steps that can be taken by a boater to assist with marina security.

• Ensure marina gates at ramps or dock entrances, upland bathroom and laundry doors when used, are closed behind you. 
• Please, keep your vessel locked and put away fishing gear, expensive electronics, or other attractive gear visible in open areas of your vessel. Secure dinghies, kayaks, and bikes with locks.
• Take the effort to know your neighbors at the slip and inform marina staff of strange activity or about any lighting outage on marina docks or where a gate or door may not be locking correctly so they may fix those quickly.
• As in any public setting, don’t leave valuable items visible in parked cars overnight.

If any crime is observed or has been committed, always call 911 first so local police can respond. The goal of the Port marinas is for you to enjoy your time at the marinas and to provide safe, secure, and unencumbered access to your vessel.  

BREMERTON MARINA TO OFFER WINTER MOORAGE PILOT PROJECT ON A AND B DOCKS

The Port of Bremerton facilities include the Bremerton Marina which is a popular location for boaters of all types to keep their vessel. A and B docks are designated as recreational docks for visiting boaters during the summer and shoulder months, but often are lightly utilized during the winter months. This year winter monthly moorage will be offered for these two docks as a pilot project. Due to the nature and restrictions of activity on these docks, winter moorage for vessels will only be available between October 1 to May 1. With the full marina and many boaters looking for temporary moorage until they can secure a more permanent slip, this option will be an available alternative.

PORT OF BREMERTON SUMMER 2024 NEWSLETTER: THE PORT IS MORE THAN MARINAS

The Port of Bremerton facilities include the Port Orchard Marina, the Bremerton Marina, Harper Pier, the Port Orchard & Chico Boat Launches, the Bremerton National Airport, and the Olympic View Industrial and Business Park. A quarterly newsletter is published regarding all the activities of the entire Port of Bremerton organization. This quarter's foreword was written by Port Commission Vice President Cary Bozeman and discusses an overview of what makes the Port of Bremerton the Port of Bremerton, from our staff to our tenants. We hope you enjoy this rich issue, which introduces our new CFO, recaps the 2024 Bremerton Air Show, announces capital projects at our airport, and more! The 2024 Port Newsletter is located here: https://www.portofbremerton.org/summer-2024-newsletter

BREMERTON MARINA PARKING

Even if the gate is malfunctioning or open, scanning your card in and out remains mandatory. From Elevated Parking Services, non-compliance with scanning out may overwhelm the computerized system and may render your card unusable during subsequent uses. Exciting developments are underway for the Marine Square and Elevated Property Services parking management, including the establishment of a new 24/7 call center. Upon pressing the help button, prompt assistance from the call center will soon be provided. For any garage entry or exit issues, please contact Jerry, the Elevated Property Services Parking Manager, at 360-999-5646. In case of emergencies, dial 911 first, then reach out to 360-865-1040.

WE ARE CONNECTED BY WATER

Washington State’s shorelines have long been defined by their relationship to saltwater and connected by a shared maritime heritage. Since time immemorial, water and maritime culture have shaped this place and its people, contributing greatly to the development of the region and the nation. Today, maritime heritage remains a vibrant part of Washington’s communities, economy, and identity. The 2019 designation of the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area recognized what Washingtonians have long known and taken pride in: our saltwater shores are some of the most unique, culturally important places in the country. L earn more about the people, places, and cultures that make up Maritime Washington by exploring this collection of stories from our shores. And be sure to check back frequently—we’re always adding new voices to this story bank. https://maritimewa.org/story/

PORT ORCHARD MARINA PARKING

MARINA PERMIT PARKING:

The designated Port Orchard Marina parking is located at 933 Bay Street, with an entrance from Harrison Avenue. The parking area includes a total of 101 spaces.  During the work week, limited parking spaces are also available for hourly commuter parking rates at $1 per hour, Monday through Friday. Between April and October, the annual Farmers Market is held on Saturdays in the mornings near the Port Orchard Waterfront Park and these parking areas are temporarily unavailable while the market is open. Additional marina parking is located directly south, adjacent to the marina with public 4-hour parking Monday through Friday. These spaces are free for the marina boaters and visitors to park for the 4-hours or as long as needed evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays in the 4-hour time restricted parking areas. This parking area also has Handicap/ADA parking spaces and includes two electric vehicle parking stalls located in this parking lot. Additional weekend parking is available at the Kitsap Bank Parking Lot adjacent to the fuel dock gate and parking at the boat lauch is available in the non-trailer spaces. With the City construction, summer parking is a challenge for everyone. Please come into the marina office if there are long term parking needs during boating travels for marina tenants.

CITY OF PORT ORCHARD DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

The City of Port Orchard is undertaking several significant construction projects downtown as part of their downtown waterfront redevelopment plan. The combination of construction projects includes the replacement of the wastewater pump station, a new Port Orchard Community Events Center & library building, the extension of the Bay Street Pedestrian Path throughout the waterfront adjacent to the Port Orchard Marina and the Bay Street Elevation Project raising of Bay Street at the west end of downtown to resolve persistent flooding and utility issues.  Additionally, Kitsap Bank will be constructing their brand-new headquarters on Bay Street between Orchard Ave. and Frederick Ave.  The initial construction for the Wastewater Pump Station will continue into 2025, with the community center proposed to start in 2027, and the Bay Street Elevation Change project planned to start within the same time period.

More information on City Plans & Projects is on the City of Port Orchard website, located here: 

• Port Orchard Public Works Projects:  https://portorchardwa.gov/public-works-projects/
• Port Orchard Sewer Lift Station: https://portorchardwa.gov/marina-sewer-lift-station/
• Port Orchard Community Events Center: https://portorchardwa.gov/waterfront-plaza/
• Port Orchard SR166/ Bay Street Reconstruction: https://portorchardwa.gov/sr166-bay-street-reconstruction/

PORT ORCHARD AND BREMERTON MARINA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY:

The Port of Bremerton owns and operates the Bremerton and Port Orchard Marinas, and we are seeking input from you – from our monthly tenants, guest boaters, and community stakeholders - through this survey to learn how and where we can improve our services.  Your input is valuable and will be a basis for future decisions in serving the public waterfronts and what capital projects or improvements are made to the Port facilities.  Thank you for your time with this short customer satisfaction survey!

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/0DElNAa/pobmarinassurvey

PORT ORCHARD MARINA BREAKWATER REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE

The Port Orchard Marina Breakwater Replacement Project has secured more than $ 13 million dollars in State and Federal grant funding for the construction of the breakwater replacement. The funds will be utilized for the much-needed $15 million dollar replacement cost of the 50-year-old breakwater project. Permitting for the project has taken more than two years and construction bidding is expected in early 2025. Construction will begin in 2025 and mostly conducted off site, with breakwater sections to be floated in place.  The much-needed project, which includes replacement of the 1,500-foot-long public breakwater, shoreside gangway, and transition docks are all project components that provides public saltwater access, recreational guest moorage, tribal fishing fleet facilities, Kitsap Transit ferry moorage, and protects the Port Orchard Marina, is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2027.

PORT OF BREMERTON FOOD DRIVE: SEPTEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29

WISHING YOU A FUN AND COLORFUL FALL BOATING SEASON!

Boating Joke for the day: What is a boater's least favorite vegetable?...

...A boaters least favorite vegetable is... LEEKS, of course.

At the Port of Bremerton, our goal is simple: provide accommodation and services that will make the Bremerton and Port Orchard Marinas your favorite ports of call in Puget Sound. We want to thank you for visiting or keeping your boat at Port of Bremerton Marinas. The Bremerton and Port Orchard Marinas endeavor to provide boaters with first-rate moorage, wonderful facilities, and attentive service.  



On behalf of the Port of Bremerton, wishing you and your crew amazing activities and adventure in the warm summer months and a WONDERFUL boating season this year!  Fair winds and following seas!

James Weaver

Director of Marine Facilitieis

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