RBAW Monthly Newsletter

- August 2025 -

RBAW in the News & Update on CVA Funding

RBAW is proud to have advocated for WA recreational boaters to drive for more blackwater pumpout options as Puget Sound is a no discharge zone. This includes stepping up for boaters to utilize Federal and State funding via CVA (Clean Vessel Act) grants to build a new mobile vessel and operate a 3-year West Puget Sound FREE mobile pumpout program (2024-2026). 

In the 2025 annual CVA grant process, RBAW requested and received an additional grant of $27,000 to expand our West Sound program to add Fridays and special events to our summer weekend and holiday schedule. This market expansion grant was part of $320,000 in new federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA) grants awarded through Washington State Parks. The funds will support new and upgraded pumpout stations, mobile pumpout services, and public outreach efforts across the state.

See below from the WA State Parks recent press release:

2025 CVA Grant Recipients:

  • Recreational Boating Association of Washington – $27,003 for the West Sound Kitsap Peninsula Mobile Pump Out Program

  • Port of Port Townsend – $125,329 for mobile pumpout carts and maintenance

  • Manson Parks & Recreation District – $9,900 for operations and maintenance at Old Mill Park and Manson Bay Marina

  • Zittles Marina – $8,570 for operations and maintenance for two pumpout carts

  • Carillon Properties – $37,500 to replace stationary pumpout at Yarrow Bay

  • Point Roberts Marina – $73,432 for vessel engine and pumpout replacements

  • Port of Anacortes – $38,456 for mobile pumpout carts

If you're boating in West Puget Sound this summer don't forget your FREE mobile pumpout!

Help Improve Awareness of Puget Sound’s No Discharge Zone

Puget Sound and its surrounding waterways are designated as a No Discharge Zone (NDZ), meaning it’s illegal to release treated or untreated sewage from boats into these protected waters. The Washington State Department of Ecology, working alongside regional partners, is assessing how well boaters understand and comply with this regulation.

They need your input.

Your insights—as a recreational boater or marine business—will help evaluate how effectively the NDZ has been communicated and where outreach efforts can be improved.

Please take 2 minutes to:

  • Fill out a brief anonymous survey

  • Share it with your Yacht Club, or Customers

  • Pass it along to fellow boating buddy's

The survey is open through September 7, 2025.  As a thank-you, participants can optionally enter a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card by providing their name and email at the end.

Click link below to take the survey. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B8TMVW7

DNR Vessel Turn-in Program in the News

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP)  is part of the broader Derelict Vessel Removal Program run by that organization. This voluntary program allows boat owners to responsibly dispose of vessels that are no longer wanted or are in poor condition, preventing them from becoming derelict and harming the environment. The program is designed to be a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option than dealing with derelict vessels after they have been abandoned in Washington's waters.

RBAW's involvement - in the 2022 WA State Legislative session, RBAW was instrumental in the proposal to redirect general fund monies to the Derelict Vessel Removal program (to include VTIP). Partnering with DNR, we advocated for 25% of the Watercraft Excise Tax that boaters already pay (~ $10 million a biennium) be used for these critical programs. Prior to this legislation, DNR's funding model did not meet the needs of this issue.

Click HERE to read the King5 article.

#MindTheZone on Lake Union this Summer


Hanging out on Lake Union is what summer is all about in Seattle! If you're on Lake Union this summer, please be aware of the seaplane advisory buoys and move 200ft east or west if they’re flashing yellow. For more information, please check out rbaw.org/mindthezone or reach out to us at mindthezone@rbaw.org and enjoy the rest of summer!!
Link to #MindTheZone
PDF of Lake Union Map

2025 RBAW Annual Membership Meeting

Be Whale Wise When Boating

Stay a Safe Distance from Whales

Know the new 2025 rules and guidelines to follow in regards to your proximity to the whales while you are cruising. Educate yourself with the links below.

Anchor Out of Eelgrass

What is eelgrass?

Eelgrass is a type of seagrass that forms dense underwater meadows, providing habitat for a variety of marine life like Dungeness crabs, salmon, and herring.

RBAW Executive Committee Meeting
August 25th, 2025 | 4:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Board of Directors Meeting
September 4th, 2025 | 6:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Membership Committee Meeting
September 15th, 2025 | 12:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Legislative Committee Meeting
September 16th, 2025 | 4:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Executive Committee Meeting
September 29th, 2025 | 4:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Board of Directors Meeting
October 2nd, 2025 | 6:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Finance Committee Meeting
October 14th, 2025 | 9:00 AM - via Zoom only

RBAW Board of Directors Retreat
October 18th, 2025 | 10:00 AM - in-Person only

RBAW Membership Committee Meeting
October 20th, 2025 | 12:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Legislative Committee Meeting
October 21st, 2025 | 4:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Executive Committee Meeting
October 27th, 2025 | 4:00 PM - via Zoom only

RBAW Board of Directors Annual Meeting
November 15th, 2025 | 9:00 AM - in-Person only

Contributing Business Memberships

Where are you spending your boat dollars?

Ask your vendors to invest in what's important to the Recreational Boater and Support RBAW, and get notice by our 8,000+ members

Refer them to RBAW at 206.929.2757 or ExecutiveDirector@rbaw.org

Platinum Member - $10,000

  • Educational Speaking Consideration
  • Exhibitor Table at Annual Member Meeting
  • Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
  • Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
  • Member Directory Listing on RBAW Website
  • 2 Social Media Spotlights with Information of your Choice
  • Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
  • Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
  • Named Member & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
  • Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Gold Member - $5,000

  • Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
  • Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
  • Member Directory Listing on RBAW Website
  • 1 Social Media Spotlight with Information of your Choice
  • Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
  • Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
  • Named Member & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
  • Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Silver Member - $2,500

  • Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
  • Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
  • Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
  • Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Bronze Member - $1,000

  • Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
  • Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter

Learn more about how your business can support what's important to the recreational boater in WA - and get noticed by our 8,000+ members, contact us at ExecutiveDirector@rbaw.org for more information.

RBAW's Gold Members!

RBAW's Silver Members!

RBAW's Bronze Members!

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