PCC Hands Out $5,000 in Grants and Scholarships

The Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers has awarded five grants and scholarships through the organization’s Barbara Schwantes Fund.  Barbara Schwantes served as the first PCC executive secretary, helping the organization to grow from concept to reality. Following her passing, the PCC initiated a memorial fund in her name for worthy marine projects.

The PCC’s Barbara Schwantes Fund (BSF) provides up to $1,000 one-year academic scholarship or project grant. Scholarships are awarded to qualified individuals intending to enroll in a post-secondary program in a marine-related field, from science to boatbuilding. Project grants are to encourage the initiation or continuation of projects that aim to improve water and waterfront environments, support boating education and safety, and promote the recreational and commercial boating industry.

The recipients of the 2024 grants and scholarships are:

Matter of Trust for its Hair Matters Program which collects clippings from salons, barbers, and pet groomers to be used to create mats that soak up oil spills along fuel docks, in storm drains, and more.

Georgia Strait Alliance-Clean Marine BC program which aims to reduce the impacts of recreational boating on the environment through education and boater outreach, and an award-winning eco-certification program.

Spaulding Marine Center for its Boatworks 101, which is an apprenticeship program that trains the next generation of marine industry craftspeople

Julianna Hernandez-Perales to further her studies in Marine Biology at the University of Puget Sound

Kathi George to continue her doctoral research at the Estuary & Ocean Science Center, San Francisco State University on how acoustic data can complement visual survey data or provide information where gaps exist to provide insights into regions where human activities and whales co-occur.

Each applicant submitted a proposal describing their academic pursuits or their educational program and PCC’s grant committee selected the awardees. The application period opens in the spring each year with awards announced in late summer. For more information visit www.PCCharbormasters.org.