PORT TOWNSEND — Working out a program with help from marine trades operators, the two of three Port of Port Townsend commissioners Wednesday approved a half-price discount on all boat haul-outs and a 20 percent discount for boats staying longer than 30 days in the port’s work yard.
The incentive program, an attempt to lure boat owners to the work yard at a time when port revenues are flagging, comes with the port agreeing to commit about $20,000 in marketing advertising in Northwest marine trades publications.
Port Commissioners Herb Beck and John Collins voted for the proposal while Commissioner Dave Thompson recused himself because he owns a marine trades business that might benefit by the decision.
“I think it’s fair to say that the average length of stay will increase under this,” Collins said.
Similar plan in 1970s
Beck said he remembered, as a port commissioner during the late 1970s, approving a similar incentive during that economic downturn.
“We’re just going to have to wait and see what happens,” he said.
The work and shipyard incentive and stimulus program will run from July 1 to Dec. 31.
The policy is already in place for the 300-ton yard after 90 days, but port leaders believe that lowering the “lay day” requirement to 30 days will help stimulate longer boat and ship stays in the yard.
Port Townsend Marine Trades Association chairman Les Schnick said marine trades operators at the Boat Haven would be responsible for putting the word out about the new incentive to their customers and others.
“I think this is a pretty good program,” Schnick said after the port commissioners’ action in their Point Hudson chambers.
He said the incentive would especially help yacht operations, such as Townsend Bay Marine, the largest boat-building and repair business at Boat Haven.
Marine trades representatives are feeling the pinch of the economy, and Marine Trades Association members agreed to form a committee to work with the Port of Port Townsend on the incentive proposal during the past month.
Port Executive Director Larry Crockett said that, once the program is about to end, the port could evaluate its effectiveness and possibly extend the program beyond Dec. 31.
Other suggestions
Port Deputy Director Jim Pivarnik said many other suggestions came from marine trades representatives, including free lay days in the yard, free haul-outs, discounted haul-outs, discounted lay days, special rates for marine trades, co-op advertising programs.
During their last meeting, the port commissioners talked at length with Boat Haven business owners, many of whom said that boat-repair business was slow to nothing.
They said that at least one Seattle -area marina and yard was offering 50 percent discounts on haul-outs, and seeing an increase in business.
The incentives have been under consideration because port work and shipyard activity have decreased dramatically since 2006 — the year that the port’s finance director, Don Taylor, said was the port’s best.
Port boatyard business has dropped off about a 40 percent from that high point, Taylor said.
Port numbers show that April ended with shipyard occupancy at 50 percent while the boatyard was running at 62 percent occupancy.
The shipyard is used by vessels hauled out by the 300-ton lift.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
