PORT TOWNSEND — New moorage policies approved unanimously by Port of Port Townsend commissioners on Wednesday pleased leaders with both the Port Townsend Moorage Tenants Union and the port.
“This is an excellent deal for tenants,” said Larry Crockett, port executive director.
“No other port provides an incentive program like this.”
Moorage tenant Gary Rossow, who represented the union in discussions with the port, agreed.
“Obviously, this is a very positive deal,” Rossow said.
“I think it’s a win for the tenants as well as the port.”
Rossow had argued that the old policy had treated moorage tenants unfairly, and was happy with three major changes to the policy.
Under the new policy:
Tenants who haul out during March or April, the “peak season,” must still pay the fees, unless the slip is rented. In that case, the yard fees would be refunded under the credit system.
Upon return, they then would be placed on the waiting list for the slip size they requested, based on that original seniority date.
“Giving incentives for tenants to make their slips available during high demand times in the port with the credit system is great,” Rossow said.
“It also provides a better balance for the port and for moorage tenants.
The new policy “helps the longtime members of the community who want to continue to be customers and members of the port community, and not to just be thrown out of the port and not be able to get back in for seven or eight years.”
