Depoe Bay leaders to study card‑lock fueling, require permits and training for self‑fueling

Depoe Bay — Harbor Commission members and city staff said they will investigate installing a card‑lock fueling system and will create a permit process requiring insurance and spill‑prevention training for people who self‑fuel at the harbor, while continuing current fueling hours in the near term.

The discussion, led by Harbor Commission Chair Liz Martin and harbor staff, focused on balancing public‑safety, liability and revenue concerns around the harbor’s existing practice of allowing self‑fueling. Martin opened the session by urging better communication among stakeholders: "It's really important that we sit down and really communicate," she said.

Why it matters: fueling is both a safety and revenue issue for the harbor. City staff and commissioners said self‑fueling has been allowed but that the city is not consistently receiving required insurance certificates or evidence of training from self‑fuelers. Harbor and city staff described a permit they plan to require (insurance, training under the harbor's SPCC—spill prevention, control and countermeasure—plan, and documentation) before issuing authorization for self‑fueling.

Most important facts: under the current practice, people can self‑fuel at the harbor; staff said that practice has reduced attendant hours but also has lowered…