Council okays permit for seaplane port

2013-0207-mjb-seaplaneThe City Council has okayed a conditional use permit that would, eventually, allow seaplane to dock on MJB-owned property along Fidalgo Bay. MJB has a long process to go through to get state and federal approval.

In addition to the seaplane port, MJB is proposing to install a 250-ton boat travel lift, a 100-foot floating pier extension, a boat wash pad, service building and utilities to create a commercial loading and offloading facility for large vessels.

The seaplane port would primarily be used by private clients of Pacific Marine Center and would allow clients to fly into Anacortes and directly access their boat or vehicle. A commercial seaplane company could operate out of the site in the future. MJB says they expect at least three flights a week into the facility. In general, seaplane hours would be limited from 7am to 10pm.

MJB's travel piers would allow the travel lift to launch and retrieve boats with stabilizers and vessels longer than 65 feet up to 150 feet in length. The plan calls for boats to be washed as they are pulled out of the water. The wash water would be captured and recycled, under the plan.

Upon project completion, Pacific Marine Center, which currently leases space from MJB and operates the existing boat ramp and floating pier, would operate the travel lift and other project improvements.