RBAW Monthly Newsletter

- September 2025 -

Your Voice on the Water, Planning RBAW’s Legislative Priorities

It’s time to set RBAW’s 2026 legislative and regulatory priorities, and we want your feedback. See below for our draft priorities. Over the next few weeks our Legislative Committee will gather feedback from members and Yacht Club Delegates to fine-tune the issues that matter most to boaters. Jump in and help shape the policies and opportunities that will keep Washington’s waters open, accessible, and thriving for all recreational boaters.

How RBAW Sets Its Legislative

& Regulatory Priorities

DRAFT 2026 Legislative & Regulatory Priorities

Oppose any increase to the Watercraft Excise Tax or any Boater taxes or fees
Actively engage with DOR for Annual Depreciation Schedule and lead the charge for a more rational schedule based upon actual vessel value
Secure 2026 Lake Union Water Safety funding from WA State, Legislature, and incremental from City of Seattle, for water safety and protection of water access for boaters
Secure CVA and State funding for Mobile Pumpouts for recreational boaters, West Sound program extension and explore additional markets for more boater services
Drive more boating access, coordinate with WA State Parks to grow boating capacity via buoy expansion, advocate for future access at Blake Island Marine State Park, and piloting of stern ties
Monitor for expansion or changes of PFD or Boater Education requirements, defend boaters rights and ensure appropriate outcomes
Support Olympia Yacht Club for Capitol Lake Management and Estuary, to include dredging schedule impacts
Support RCW change allowing peer-to-peer moorage sharing of private bouys to increase mooring capacity for boaters
**Evaluate the support of an RCW change to the definition of derelict vs abandoned vessels to expedite removal of sinking vessels

** Under evaluation

Reach out to Andrea Pierantozzi, RBAW VP Government Affairs or Trevor Justin, RBAW Lobbyist with questions or feedback.

Join Us! Annual RBAW and NMTA Boating Day in Olympia

Reminder: Blake Island Marine Park Meeting

If you love Blake Island State Marine Park as much as we do - Washington State Parks is holding a master planning meeting for the future development of Blake Island Marine Park. See below for all the details, and we hope you can participate - let your voice be heard!

The meeting will be in person on September 18th from 6-7:30pm at the Ballard Library. A YouTube video of the presentation will be made available a few days prior to the public meeting on the State Parks website, for those who would like to engage virtually. The public can also submit written comment using the online public comment form and complete an online survey.

Blake Island Marine State Park Community Meeting

When: Sept. 18, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ballard Branch, Seattle Public Library

WA State Parks Planner, Alexandra Sullivan is happy to answer any specific questions by email or phone if there are concerns that aren’t covered in the presentation. There is also a live survey on the website that people are encouraged to complete.

Alexandra Sullivan

Parks Planner

300 Desmond Drive SE Lacey, WA 98503

p. 360-902-8655

e. alexandra.sullivan@parks.wa.gov

parks.wa.gov

To learn more about the Blake Island Marine State Park planning process, please visit the State Parks website.

Thanks for MindTheZone Support

The summer recreation season on Lake Union is winding down, the five seaplane advisory buoys that run north to south on Seattle's Lake Union have been removed, and our 2025 MindTheZone campaign has finished.

As lake use continues to increase each year, we appreciate all lake users collaborating to continue to share this iconic body of water, at the heart of the city. Our short video was viewed over 875,000 times this summer, totaling well over two million views since RBAW was asked to create this initiative in 2022. Who guessed that a video about safety and sharing the water would make RBAW a YouTube star?

Thank you to the City of Seattle for ongoing funding, as well as to the State of Washington for the biannual funding that supported the campaign in from July 2023 through June 2025. Our RBAW members know how streamlined RBAW is, and we leverage every dollar of this funding to get the most positive impact - a big thank you to our RBAW Yacht Clubs for helping share the word in newsletters to your members and posting signage at your docks.

And, finally, thank you to all of the Lake Union businesses who help spread the message of courtesy and awareness with lake users! Extra thanks for spreading the word go to NWOC (Northwest Outdoor Center), Hot Tub Boats Seattle, Moss Bay, Carefree Boat Club, Skylaunch Marina, and new partners Gasworks Brewing and Seattle Paddle Rave.

Even with fall weather, the lake is still beautiful, and we hope you find time to enjoy it as the tempo slows down!

Inspire Students to Pursue Maritime Careers

With Washington’s maritime sector growing rapidly, a shortage of skilled tradespeople could threaten the lifestyle we love. To help build the next generation of maritime professionals, consider introducing students to these opportunities by participating in Core Plus Maritime’s 4th Annual Try-A-Trade event at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Bremerton on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Details about this Coreplus Maritime event:

More than 500 students and educators from across Western Washington will gather to explore hands-on opportunities in maritime careers. Yes, it's in Kitsap - but schools are traveling from Clallam, King, Mason, Jefferson, Pierce, Snohomish, and Grays Harbor counties to attend.

This event gives students a real look into maritime careers and connects you with the next generation of marine professionals and boating enthusiasts.

Exhibitors receive an indoor table and chairs, with optional outdoor space for equipment, tools, or interactive activities. Companies are encouraged to bring hiring information and activities that showcase the skills and excitement of working in maritime. One day of your time makes a yearlong impact on students, counselors, and educators.

To learn more about this event or to register, click HERE. Event contact is Tory Gering and Tory@seattleindustry.org

Boaters are loving Mobile Pumpouts!

RBAW's West Sound Mobile Pumpout Program is making waves in our second year — and it's all thanks to YOU, the responsible boaters who are properly pumping out waste right where you are. You're the real MVPs of marine sanitation!

In our first year (2024), we hauled away a solid ~11k gallons of blackwater from recreational boats. For 2025, we set our sights on 15k gallons — and we’ve already collected 22k gallons, nice work boaters!

When Puget Sound became a No Discharge Zone, RBAW jumped into action to work with WA State Parks and the WA State Legislature to ensure boaters had more access to fixed and mobile pumpouts – advocating for boater services is our superpower!

This clean vessel act (CVA) program is funded federally by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust fund (managed by WA State Parks) and also utilizes state funds that RBAW advocated for in the 2023 legislative session. We also received 25% match funding from local municipalities and nonprofit partners. So, while we’re busy helping keep Puget Sound pristine, your membership dollars are hard at work elsewhere — like advocating for boaters’ rights, holding the line on taxes and fee's, water access, and the future of recreational boating in Washington.

RBAW is proud to reel in these vital grant funds and deliver this essential service for recreational boaters. And none of it would be possible without our dedicated volunteer Board members whose behind-the-scenes efforts keep this program afloat and our boating community thriving.

So, thanks for pumping out responsibly and being part of the RBAW crew. Stronger advocacy, cleaner waters, and not a dollar down the drain — that’s how we roll!

SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE UPDATE: Since our busiest days are Fridays and Saturdays, we will be eliminating Sundays for the remainder of September weekends. We have a fixed budget for this program and must ensure we spend those dollars efficiently and when we have the best opportunity to reach the most boaters. Please let your boating buddies and club members know!

Click to Schedule FREE West Puget Sound (Kitsap) Mobile Pumpout

Find all WA Pumpoput Options & Report Problems

2025 RBAW Annual Membership Meeting

Update: There will be no Zoom access to the annual meeting this year. It is in-person only, hope you can join us!

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.

Be Whale Wise Website

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.

Anchoring in >25 ft of water helps keep you safe with a strong hold, and protects this important habitat.