Memorial Bench Donations

The Foss Harbor Marina is now collecting donations for a Memorial Bench in honor of Paul Henning. If you are interested in donating stop by the marina office. We will be looking to place the bench by Gate 5 where Paul accessed his vessel.

New Reward Program for Current Tenants

As a way to thank you for your patronage, the Foss Harbor Marina will begin a monthly drawing for a $25 fuel voucher. You will automatically be entered into the drawing as long as your current month's mooorage or locker bill is paid in full by the close of business on the 10th of the month.

We will draw a random winner on the 11th and review their account. If their account is up to date, they will be immediately notified. If an account is not up to date, another tenant account will be drawn until the conditions of the contest are fulfilled.

This reward program will begin March 2010. Get your payments in now and you may be the first lucky winner.

Send a deserving child to Summer Camp

The Foss Harbor Marina is working with Lowe's and the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help raise funds to send children affected by MD to Summer Camp. If you are interested in helping some kids have some summer fun, just stop into the marina office.
http://www.mda.org/clinics/camp/.

MDA SUMMER CAMP
“The Best Week of the Year”
Since 1955, MDA has built bridges and knocked down barriers for youngsters with muscular dystrophy and related diseases by
providing an unforgettable week at MDA summer camp.

Each year, MDA supports some 90 summer camps across the country. Whether in Alaska, Hawaii, California or New York, barriers simply don’t exist. A child with a disability can just be a child among friends. Youngsters attend summer camp at no cost to their families.

"Just the experience with the other campers has changed my life and has given me life-long friends."


MDA camp is a magical place offering a wide range of activities specially designed for young people who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs. Although structured, camp programs are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere that gives campers an unmatched opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, share interests and build self-confidence.

MDA summer camp activities may include:

swimming karaoke
boating and canoeing fishing
adaptive sports archery
horseback riding scavenger hunts
arts and crafts spirit competitions
dances and talent shows campfires
carnival

A Friend Passes

Foss Harbor Marina has lost a great friend and passionate boater. Paul Henning passed away at the Marina early in the morning on Saturday, February 13, 2010. It is evident by the sheer number of people mourning his loss, that he was truly loved by many here at the marina and in the waterway. Many friends here at Foss Harbor describe Paul as not only a friend but as family.
Paul was an expert on Fairliners and was a vintage vehicle aficionado. He moored his boat here for nearly 15 years and was a key member of the Local Fairliner Rendezvous Club. He was instrumental in planning the National Fairliner Rendezvous. He worked at BNSF for many years and then at Boeing. As a member of the IAM Union, he worked as a shop steward and Flight Test Mechanic for Boeing.

His loss will be felt the most by his two sisters Grace and Francis. His friends at the marina will be planning a potluck meal to honor and celebrate Paul’s life. Notice of the exact date of the event will be posted around the marina. There is also talk of erecting a permanent memorial here at the marina in Paul’s honor. If you are interested in the potluck event, donating to the memorial or where to send flowers, please contact the Marina office (253) 272-4404.
We are truly fortunate for the time we have had to get to know Paul. However his loss was unexpected and devastating to his friends. Kathy Mannelly has offered her services as grief counselor to anyone here at the marina who would like someone to talk to confidentially about this event. Her phone number is (253) 279-8063.

The marina is currently looking at raising funds to create a memorial bench for Paul. If you are interested and think this is a good idea, please let us know. The benches are $500 and an 8' x 10' brass plaque is around $300.

Parking Panic

Just to update you, the marina is working on some possible solutions to some of the parking dilemmas. We do appreciate your patience in this process. Please remember that there are more parking spots at the south end of the marina. If you let us know, we are more than happy to give you a ride from the south lot to your marina gate.

Also, please keep in mind that we do have more parking than any of the marinas on the waterway.

Passport to Puget Sound

Fifteen Puget Sound Marinas will partner with the Northwest Marine Trade Association to offer a new program that will reward visiting boaters. The promotion, Passport to Puget Sound, will kick off at the 2010 Seattle Boat Show on Jan. 29.

Puget Sound provides quick, easy access to a boater’s paradise. With fishing, diverse moorage options and events year round, the Sound has a lot to offer boaters that want to take advantage of the area’s unique features.

Participating marinas include:

Arabella’s Landing
Bremerton Marina
Bell Harbor Marina
Cap Sante Boat Haven
City of Des Moines Marina
Dock Street Marina
Elliott Bay Marina
Foss Harbor Marina
Port of Edmonds
Port of Everett
Port of Kingston
Port Orchard Marina
Poulsbo Marina
Shilshole Marina
Swantown Marina

Boaters who visit any of the participating marinas between March 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and pay for a minimum of one night of guest moorage will receive a stamp in a Passport to Puget Sound book. Once a row of four marinas is completed, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, visitors will receive a “Passport to Puget Sound” T-shirt.

The first fifteen participants to achieve a ‘black out’, where all squares are filled with stamps from all of the participating marinas, will receive one of fifteen available grand prize packages valued up to $500. Prize packages include a variety of hotel accommodations, restaurant gift certificates, event tickets, boat services and more.

Pick up your Passport to Puget Sound book at any of the participating marinas or at the Seattle Boat Show to start your summer adventures early!

For more information on the program, visit the NMTA’s website at http://www.seattleboatshow.com/ or contact one of the participating marinas.

Merry Christmas, Foss Harbor Tenants!

A Budget Tale


T’was the night before Budget and all through the grounds,
Not a tenant was stirring except the Guard doing rounds.

The stockings were hung by the masts with care,

In hopes that our government would not leave them bare.


The vessels were nestled all snug in their slips,

While their radars monitored the on-going blips.

And I with my flak jacket armed with a Mac,

Had just settled down for a long budget chat.

When out on the dock there rose such a clatter,
The Guard inspected to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I moved like a tug,

Cleared the condensation and then tripped on the rug.


The moon on the bow of the newly purchased yacht,
Gave the luster of mid-day to the boats with the rot.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But an extremely tight budget that forced out a tear.

With a little old income, so stretched and maligned,
I knew in a moment that I should be confined.

More expenses than ever, the budget it grew,

I became dejected, just what would I do?


"Now, Taxes! Now, Leases! Now Insurance and More!

Why all these expenses? I must go to war.”

“Lower the lease rates! Topple the tax wall!
We will fight for our marina ‘til the enemy falls.”


So back to face the drawing board, the manager, I flew,
With a handful of implements for crafting budget stew.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the deck,
It was me with the budget, wringing its neck.


It wasn’t very pleasant and the budget almost drowned,
But when it resurfaced it seemed much, much more sound.

It was dressed all in 2009 moorage rates, from his feet to his head,
But his coversheet was tarnished as if he’d been dead.


A bundle of rates he had on his back,
They were identical to last year, with only one exception to the pack.

The tenants-- how they twinkled! Their dimples how merry!
Their cheeks were like roses, their noses like cherries!

Their mouths were all drawn up in grandiose smiles,
They knew they lucked out, lucked out by a mile.

The stump of a budget still maintained his composure.
Despite the fact, he had more exposure.


And the expenses encircled his head like a wreath,
So the budget bore down and growled his big teeth.

Keeping the same rates would take a large toll,
To keep expenses in check was now his big goal.


He carried the weight of the marina on his frame,
When all of a sudden his face looked crazed & insane.

His eyes were darting all over the place,
When he spotted a marked door and his feet made the chase.


With a wink of his eye and a flush of the head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Cleaning the marina and smiling a smirk.


And laying his finger outside of his nose,
Stated,” I need some fuel” and pulled out the hose.

He sprang to his boat and opened the cap,
The tank filled in minutes and he gave a loud clap.

And I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"I’ll be back next year and you’d better not bite.”

BOAT AUCTION NOVEMBER 20TH @ 11:30AM

The Foss Harbor Marina will be auctioning off two impounded vessels on November 20, 2009. The vessels eligible for auction are:

*1975, 24' Bayliner Sailboat

*1967, 33' Fairliner

There is no minimum bid at this time. If you are interested in these vessels, you may begin viewing them on Friday, November 13th, 2009 during business hours. We cannot allow boarding of these vessels until the morning of the auction. The Foss Harbor Marina has no knowledge of actual vessel conditions. The marina is located at 821 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402. Please keep in mind, according to the Revised Code of Washington, vessel owners have the right to show up at any time prior to the auction and pay off their balances. We recommend that you call the morning of the auction to verify that the vessels are still available. The marina can only accept cash or cashier's check. If you have any questions, please call the marina @ 253-272-4404.

Seas ‘N Greetings - A HOLIDAY TRADITION ON THE THEA FOSS

The marinas located along the Thea Foss Waterway in Downtown Tacoma have announced their 4th Annual Holiday Boat Decorating Contest, Seas ‘N Greetings, to be held the evening of December11th. Judging will commence at 4:30pm. Lighted boats will be seen from Foss Harbor Marina down to Dock St. Marina, Delin Docks Marina and Foss Landing.

Vessels will be judged based on their use of lights, their creativity, and their theme. An independent panel of judges will chose an overall Grand Prize Winner for the waterway and 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places for marinas North of the 11th St. Bridge and also for Marinas South of the bridge.

In past years, the contest has awarded thousands of dollars worth in prizes and is anticipating similar prizes will be awarded this year as well. Any decorated vessels moored in the Thea Foss Waterway at Foss Harbor Marina, Dock Street Marina, Delin Docks Marina, or Foss Landing are eligible to participate. This includes boaters who come in for guest moorage. Those who do come in for guest moorage will be treated to the Tacoma Yacht Clubs annual lighted boat parade on the following evening of December 12th.

SEAS ‘N GREETINGS individual boater’s awards will be presented at the Foss Harbor Marina, 821 Dock St. between 7:00-9:00pm. The Marina with the best decorated boat will also be awarded with the Waterway Trophy, which will be held at the winning Marina until the following year when the next event takes place. There will be hot drinks, cookies, and possibly some entertainment from Michael Agostini, a local humorist.

The Waterway Marinas, Foss Waterway Development Authority and local businesses are working jointly to promote this event. All prizes have been donated by community-minded businesses. Bring a toy to donate to Toys-For-Tots and help your personal community spirit. A trip down to see the lights from the masts reflecting off the water is a good way to slow things down for a moment and enjoy the season with your family and friends.

Sign-up in your marina office to participate in the contest!

Fall Moorage & Storage Deals

The Foss Harbor Marina is offering the following Fall Sign-up Specials for new tenants:

1. Sign-up for a moorage slip or storage locker this Fall and get the 2nd month 50% off.

2. For members of the military or military veterans: Sign-up this Fall, and receive 20% off of your moorage fee until April 2010.

For existing tenants, we offer the following specials:

1. Pay your moorage a year in advance and receive 10% off your monthly moorage fee.
2. Pay six months in advance and receive 5% off your monthly moorage fee.
3. Refer a new tenant who signs up for moorage or a locker and get a 20% discount on the following months moorage fee.
4. Upgrade your open slip to a covered slip and receive 10% discount on your covered moorage fee until April 2010.
5. Sign-up for a mailbox and receive the second month free.