PCC Announces Election Results and New Nonprofit Fund

Last week, the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers (PCC) held its spring conference at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, Washington, touting one of its biggest turnouts to date with over 100 attendees from California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.

Educational sessions included marina software and AI trends, cybersecurity, marina repair and maintenance, an overview of port impacts from political changes and electrical infrastructure. New for this conference was a series of hands-on sessions, including pumpout repair, towing and hauling and a look at solar and specialized pumpout boats.

A highlight of the conference was a tour aboard the Puget Sound Express to get an inside look at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and the Port Townsend Boatyard.

Attendees elected three new board members, Alyce Henry from Oak Harbor Marina in Washington, Patrick Belanger from Nanaimo Port Authority in British Columbia and Jeff Griffin from the Port of Bandon, Oregon.

In addition, the board announced the Eric Olsson Living Legacy Fund, which honors its namesake, who has led the PCC Training and Education committee for over 30 years and has been an integral part of the organization overall. Olsson stepped down from his role earlier this year. The Eric Olsson fund will be used for donations to maritime-based nonprofits and is an addition to the PCC’s existing Barbara Schwantes Scholarship Fund, which raises money to be used for scholarships for students entering a marine-based educational program. Money comes through raffles held at each event.

At the event’s awards dinner, the Port of Port Townsend won the Harbor Achievement Award in recognition of its breakwater replacement project. Scott Wilkins won the Individual Commitment Award for his 20-plus years of service and support of the PCC.