Poulsbo perspective

The following is a statement from Mark DeSalvo, commissioner of the Port of Poulsbo, regarding the role his port plays in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

As the Port of Poulsbo moves through this current emergency, let me put forth what the responsibilities of the port are and the actions we are taking.

In Washington State, ports are the bridge between water, air, rail, road and are run by the public. It is our responsibility to maintain these essential access points as a governmental agency for the public. We have given emergency authorization to our port manager to ensure the port can fulfill its responsibilities.

First, for commerce/safety, this includes commercial fishermen, first responders, and other essential water-based activities that are continuing. We have a unique port with a tidal loading dock requiring no personnel to operate it (at the top of D dock) that we will maintain open. We also have a fuel dock that will also remain open.

Second, a number of responsible citizens in our region have chosen to socially isolate on their boats primarily on anchor. As a port, it is our responsibility to ensure these citizens have a safe place to access food, medicine, fuel, and dump their waste. The port will maintain minimal staff to continue the operation of the fuel dock, pump out station, marina maintenance, and dock moorage. We have stopped taking reservations for the transient slips. However, if someone feels it is necessary to use a transient slip, they will be using the after hours drop box for registration and payment.

Third, we are considered a public park on E and F docks; due to the choke points to enter and exit the docks, we are asking that the public limit their use of the docks to water-based activities. (We are) essentially asking if you are not getting on or off a boat or seaplane please keep the docks clear for those that are.

We will continue to keep everyone informed as we make through the next few months. It has been wonderful to see what we all already know, Poulsbo knows how to pull together. We have done it before, and we are doing it now.

This will all come to an end and life will return to normal. Until then, love, support and continue to serve your neighbors. ~~~