Port of Poulsbo facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids Location |
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Poulsbo, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°43′58″N 122°39′52″W / 47.73278°N 122.66444°W |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Operated by | Port of Poulsbo Commission |
| Owned by | City of Poulsbo |
| Available berths | 380 |
| Wharfs | 7 |
| Website http://www.portofpoulsbo.com |
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The Port of Poulsbo is a busy place for boats and ships in Poulsbo, Washington, United States. It is located on Liberty Bay, which is part of Puget Sound. This port is more than just a place for boats. It also has the Poulsbo Marina, a spot for seaplanes, shops, homes, the SEA Discovery Center, and a waterfront park. It is a big part of downtown Poulsbo, often called "Little Norway."
History of the Port
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The waters around the Port of Poulsbo have been used for a very long time, even before Europeans arrived. The Suquamish people lived here for thousands of years. They fished and gathered shellfish. They had a village called ho-cheeb at the head of the bay until the mid-1800s.
In 1855, the Treaty of Point Elliott was signed. This treaty made land available to new settlers. But it also made sure the Suquamish Tribe could still fish and gather shellfish in their traditional areas, including Liberty Bay.
In the early 1900s, the waters off Poulsbo became a base for fishing boats. These boats worked in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Larger ships also fished in Alaska for salmon and cod. Poulsbo was home to the Pacific Codfish Company and fish and oyster canneries.
In 1945, the state of Washington spent $75,000 to improve the port. This allowed it to be used by commercial passenger and fishing boats. In the 1950s, local ferries and passenger boats provided regular service between Seattle and Kitsap County, including Poulsbo. The Port of Poulsbo was officially started in 1951.
The port helps keep Poulsbo's maritime feel alive. It also works to keep the bay healthy. The port is watched over by three elected commissioners and staff. They are working to replace an old breakwater with a new, eco-friendly floating one. They also worked with the City of Poulsbo to upgrade a parking lot. The new lot has a special surface and rain gardens to filter rainwater.
In February 2021, the port's public boat ramp had to close because it was in bad shape. Work on building a new public boat ramp began in June 2021.
How the Port is Managed
The Port of Poulsbo includes the marina, mooring area, commercial shops, and a Marine Science Center.
The port is managed by the Port of Poulsbo Commission. This group has three commissioners. They are in charge of overseeing the General Manager and other staff who run the port every day. If a commissioner leaves, the other two commissioners choose a replacement. The City of Poulsbo must approve this choice.
Marina Facilities and Services
The Poulsbo Marina has seven main docks. These docks include 254 permanent slips for boats that stay there all the time. There are also 130 guest slips for visitors.
Other facilities at the marina include:
- 130 guest moorage slips with fresh water and 30 amp power
- 254 permanent moorage slips with fresh water and 30 amp power
- A fuel dock with gasoline and diesel fuel
- A commercial pier for loading and unloading equipment
- A tidal grid for checking boat hulls and propellers
- Sanitation pump-out facilities
- Shower and restroom facilities
- A launch ramp
- Laundry facilities
