O u t s ta n d i n g E n v i r o n m e n ta l Leade rsh i p:
t t e n r a B Aaron
Dr. Seuss’ Lorax speaks for the trees, and so too does the recipient of this award. Boaters in the Northwest care about the local waterways, in fact, we’re obsessed with them. That’s why we boat! This award recognizes a local champion of our waterways, and it’s thanks to their good work that our beautiful Pacific Northwest will be enjoyed for generations to come. Aaron Barnett, the Boating Program Specialist of the Washington Sea Grant, has done an unprecedented amount of good for the waters and boaters of the state. Working with boat owners, marina operators, and port managers to keep Washington’s waters safe for people and wildlife is just part of the daily grind for this often-behind-the-scenes marine champion and former United States Coast Guardsman. Notably, Barnett manages Pumpout Washington, a collaboration with Washington State Parks’ Clean Vessel Program to keep onboard sewage out of our waters. Since the program’s launch in 2012, Barnett and his squad of volunteers distributed over 8,000 kits to boat owners and helped usher the state’s total marine pump-out stations to over 150 locations. Literally, millions of gallons of onboard sewage have been diverted from our boats to treatment facilities on land as a result. It’s this kind of work that helps make boaters part of the solution vs. the problem when it comes to our beloved environment. Well done!
Outstanding New Yacht Brokerage:
d n e s n w o Port T
Boat Co.
This category recognizes a yacht brokerage that opened within the last two years for outstanding customer service and business practices. The “new guys” often need recognition the most, let’s give it to them. The Port Townsend Boat Company burst onto the local brokerage scene thanks to the hard work of Captain Rob Sanderson and his wonderful family. A successful brokerage is the product of its people, and the Sandersons exemplify the lifestyle aquatic. These quotes from a nomination letter say it best:
Aaron Barnett demonstrates proper pump-out processes (left) and shows off a spill prevention kit.
Weekend Wa r r i o r :
n i e l K Kevin
Some boaters just don’t stay at the dock. They don’t know the meaning of the word winterize and don’t let a little rain (or sleet) scare them off from their time on the water. It is for these weekend warriors that we pay tribute to with this award. Nothing motivates us to get out there than talking to a weekend warrior who is all smiles. Great work! Kevin Klein wears many hats in our community. To many boat owners, he is the Inside Passage Yacht Sales broker who united them with their beloved Lindell or Sargo fishing machine. To others, he’s the consummate Pacific Northwest angler, a true pro who is hitting the fish of the day hard. “Getting groceries” he calls it. To readers of Northwest Yachting, he is the seasoned voice of Kevin’s Catch, our fishing column. Klein gets our weekend warrior award because he’s never winterized his boat and is proud of it. He’s out on the water every chance he gets; always the gracious sportsman and skipper. If you’re active on the local fishing scene, the odds are you’ve at least seen Klein ply past with a friendly wave. “Go get some!” he likely yelled over the water, just the kind of catchphrase the winner of this award is supposed to have. 92 NORTHWEST YACHTING || JANUARY 2019
Klein getting groceries. Nice flattie!
“I’ve known Rob for the 15+ years that he’s been in Port Townsend and I know he’s a straight-shooter when it comes to people and boats. He is a boat captain himself and used to be a program director and maritime educator for the NW Maritime Center. From watching him over the years I can tell you he has an enormous passion for getting people of all ages on the water and helping them to be comfortable in that environment… “Rob has shared stories with me from his time sailing historic tall ships, driving skiff for a commercial fishing boat, captaining whale watching boats, driving America’s Cup support boats, and cruising on his own boat, an Ingrid 38, which he and his wife sailed from PT to Mexico. When you’re looking for a boat of your own, you want a guy like Rob who is genuinely passionate about all aspects of the mariner’s life. Not only does he love to help people find their dream boat, he also enjoys connecting them with all the resources they might seek, like the local marine trades and classes and courses to feel educated and confident on the water.”
They sell it all; from power yachts to performance trimarans.