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Ports board recommends Marine Exchange weather station at ore dock to improve safety
Summary
The advisory board recommended Assembly approval to install a Marine Exchange weather sensor at the ore dock after staff and local pilots said more localized wind data will improve go/no-go decisions for vessel movements.
The Ports and Harbor Advisory Board on Tuesday recommended that the Assembly approve a Marine Exchange proposal to install and operate a weather sensor at the ore dock to provide localized wind and sea-condition data.
Port Director Jennings framed the request by noting the ore dock’s extreme winds and the navigational value of localized data: “Anybody who's been down on the ore dock, you know that it is an exceptionally windy place,” Jennings said when introducing the proposal.
Staff said the proposal is a one-time installation commitment of $13,700 for the initial year and approximately $2,000 per year thereafter for maintenance; board members discussed the recurring cost and how it would be budgeted. A board member misstated the amount during the motion as "$2,021,700," but Jennings and others clarified the correct numbers earlier in the discussion. The board moved the recommendation and approved it on a voice vote; Jennings said the recurring maintenance would be budgeted in future operating budgets.
Why it matters: Board members, local pilots and boat captains said the microclimate at the ore-dock end can differ significantly from nearby stations and that real-time localized readings would aid safety and scheduling decisions. One board member who also captains vessels said the weather can change dramatically across short distances on the dock and welcomed the additional data.
Staff and pilots: Jennings said she had recent conversations with three SEPA pilots, who were supportive of additional weather information. The proposal came from the Marine Exchange; the board discussed whether an additional station would replace existing ferry or breakwater sensors or operate alongside them. Jennings said she had not been told the ferry would remove its station and that the Marine Exchange had provided the proposal after consultations.
Costs and operations: Jennings described the first-year cost as $13,700 and an annual maintenance fee of about $2,000 to be budgeted beginning in 2026. Board members asked whether a webcam could be added later; staff said they would inquire with the Marine Exchange but noted potential data, cost and security considerations. One board member said the Marine Exchange typically uses cellular data uplinks for station telemetry and that webcams would increase data use and costs.
Decision and next steps: The board voted to recommend Assembly approval of the Marine Exchange proposal. Jennings said staff will budget for the maintenance fee in future operating budgets and will follow up on questions about webcams and data links. The motion passed on a voice vote with all members present voting "aye."
