Burning Question | Are liveaboards being unfairly targeted?
Jun 14 2011 in Burning questions by Marty McOmber
Deborah’s story yesterday was about the city of Seattle considering new rules that would dramatically impact liveaboards and impose new restrictions on marinas where they stay.
It seems like every few years, new regulations are proposed that take aim at liveaboards here in the Northwest. The latest proposal is reportedly based partly on the perception that those who live aboard their boats full time produce more greywater than other boaters.
Tell us what you think about the new regulations, and then share your thoughts on whether liveaboards are fairly or unfairly treated under existing regulations.
Related Stories
New regs would crack down on Seattle liveaboards
Featured event: Shilshole Bay Marina Annual Open Boat Weekend and Swap Meet
Liveaboards in B.C. unite for rights
Reprieve for Eagle Harbor liveaboards facing eviction
Liveaboards face 'constant fight' against misconceptions
Liveaboards: who are they, and why do they do it?
thom permenter said on February 17, 2012
This does seem to be a recurring theme, remember Jennifer Belcher?
Whether this is a result of the state pondering further restrictions or only our city doing it on their own, we must be eternally vigilant and fight these attacks on our lifestyle at every turn!!
us slave said on February 17, 2012
Pumpout is free and is treated same as sewage from houses. I blame central banking for regulation aimed at raising taxes fees so gov will have more slaves as collateral to put us slaves in more debt so bankers get fat on the interest
Joe Grande said on June 18, 2011
It may be time to narrow the argument. What is the real concern of the city of Seattle citizen’s committee?
IS IT WATER POLUTION? As a seven year liveaboard on Lake Union, my eleven year old sailboat is waxed & glistens so that rain water beads and runs into the lake. Countless non-liveaboard vessels around Puget Sound are not maintained and do not leave the dock. The brake dust of the thousands cars that daily travel Westlake Ave N add more polution to Lake Union than all of the moored vessels, whether or not liveaboards.
IS THE ISSUE SOCIAL ENGINEERING? The city invests heavily in subsidized low income housing. We require no subsidy and have a microscopic carbon footprint.
THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES? If these measures were passed it might create a new class of anchoring renegades.
ME? I am a committed waterman who lives aboard by choice; pays taxes; pays moorage; rides a bike; owns no car and uses my Senior Orca card.
Isn’t it time to quit funding studies and just move on to rebuilding our economy?
Stuart Scadron-Wattles said on June 18, 2011
Capt. John Aydelotte for most eloquent spokesboater of the year! Well said. (Send him into City Council meeting.)
Douglas G Young said on June 18, 2011
Boaters are an easy target. Point the finger at them and blame them for your problems. It’s their fault the fish aren’t returning. It’s their fault there is pollution. But be ware oh ye land dwellers for once we are gone you shall be next. No more pollution from wood stoves and their smoke. No more charcoal BBQ. Washing your car in the drive way will be a thing of the past. Spaying your lawn for pests ! Forget it. Putting moss controlling chemicals on the roof or lawn nope. So think before you act. Do your research. Don’t we already have regulation enough. Low phosphate detergents. Use vinegar to treat or clean. Educate boaters to alternate items to use. Provide better service by giving them local public free or low fee pump outs.
Stop issuing exemptions for commercial companies or boats over a given size. If you want to regulate as boaters to help. As them who the violators are. They know the answers and often have a solution. Be smart about it and go to the source and not use a bunch of none boating none live aboard backward thinking people on the committees. Use your commone sense.
Capt'n John Aydelotte said on June 18, 2011
Live-aboards are a Marinas’ most valuable asset
The presence of people with excellent mariner skills and resources at ALL TIMES is extremely valuable.
I am a Professional Mariner who operates VESSEL ASSIST ANACORTES and VESSEL ASSIST WHIDBEY. Our Rescue vessels visit every Marina from Blaine to Everett often, and whenever we come to a Marina without live-aboards, there’s never anyone around to assist as we struggle to dock safely, however resident mariners put on a coat and are there to help every time, even after midnight. At Cap Sante, (no Live-aboards), the paid staff NEVER meets us unless requested and then only in daylight. Many of our successful responses to vessels taking on water are from timely observations by resident mariners.
SAFETY: Who will hear you yell for help, should you need it, or fall over the side? Who will notice the slow settling of a foundering vessel BEFORE it is fully submerged? Who reports thieves in the act? Who calls in a fire before it spreads? Who is there to assist docking of a disabled or unsure mariner anytime? These folks, by living there, assure that someone is always watching, available to help.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: These full time resident mariners are an anytime, wealth of local knowledge, freely shared to all visitors to their harbor. The pump out? Right over there… the hardware store,? bakery? No problem. The expansive experience of studied, been there, done that folks assures a good memory of a place to return to time and time again. These ambassadors of nautical goodwill aid the local economy and transient mariners in a common goal “a successful LOCAL boating experience”
Sewage: NOT an issue. All vessels are subject to the same no discharge rules/laws. Offenders should be dealt with, as the law allows. Individually! Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater! Roving pump out vessel service is available to any vessel, at any slip or anchorage, anywhere in Puget Sound.
These “LIVEABOARD” citizens who have achieved a life that many of us can only dream about, deserve better treatment by the facilities that they support in so many ways, every day (and night!). Their presence makes the port staffs’ goals easier in so many ways. They are truly the life’s-blood of OUR mariner community, supporting Yacht clubs, marine businesses, and local economy like few others, their dedication can’t be bought, yet is freely given! Don’t foolishly legislate it into only a fond memory, rather cherish and enhance all our lives by creating a better Marina/Port experience for ALL mariners who come to La Conner. Continue the valuable tradition and encourage the quality of experience that liveabords bring to all of Puget Sound.
Capt’n John Aydelotte
VESSEL ASSIST Whidbey / Anacortes
Duane said on June 14, 2011
Since when is living aboard a boat a “privilege”? I believe it is a right. A contitutional right to pursue happiness. As long as the situtation doesn’t harm anybody else or property or pollute the environment, it shouldn’t be regulated. The only problem I see is with the city or county’s view, they can’t make more money off of live aboards.