Contact: Ann Grimm
Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2005
Come aboard the NOAA Ship RAINIER
November 5 at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal
[Bellingham, Wash.] Airplanes and satellites survey and map the land by air but have you ever wondered how the ocean is mapped? On Saturday, November 5th, you‘ll have an opportunity to find out just how nautical charting is accomplished by taking part in a public open house aboard the NOAA Ship Rainier. Crew members will take you on a ship’s tour and answer all kinds of questions about surveying water depths in Bellingham Bay and beyond.
The Port of Bellingham, the Department of Ecology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are pleased to offer ship tours at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal located at 629 Cornwall Avenue. For security purposes, no bags, packages or knapsacks are allowed and all adults must bring photo identification and must check in before going aboard the ship.
The NOAA Ship Rainier is designed and outfitted primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys in support of nautical charting. The ship operates off the U.S. Pacific Coast and in Alaskan coastal waters and is the most productive coastal hydrographic survey ship in the world. The guided tours will give people a chance to look inside a state-of-the-art NOAA research vessel and view information gathered from the depths of Bellingham Bay.
The tours will be offered from 9 am to 11 am and from 1 pm to 4 pm. The Port and the Department of Ecology will also have an environmental interpretive display of Bellingham’s waterfront. Refreshments will be served.
The Port of Bellingham and the Department of Ecology are co-managers of the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot. The Pilot is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, tribal and local agencies that have developed a comprehensive strategy for the clean up and habitat restoration within the bay.
NOAA is the lead agency for the federal Portfields Initiative. The Port of Bellingham was selected as one of only three port communities nationwide for targeted agency support in waterfront revitalization efforts.
The NOAA Ship Rainier is just one among an assortment of hydrographic survey, oceanic research and fisheries research vessels. Launched by Aerojet-General Shipyards in Jacksonville, FL in 1968, the Rainier is 231 feet long, 42 feed breadth with a welded steel/ice strengthened hull. Cruising speed is 12 knots with a range of 5,898 miles and 22 day endurance. Its scientific laboratory facility consists of a 240 sq ft dry oceanographic lab. The Rainier is complemented by 10 Commissioned Officers and a crew of 55. Homeport is Seattle, WA. More information about the ship and its capabilities can be found at the website www.moc.noaa.gov/ra
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County’s major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, about 300 businesses operate on Port properties, which are managed by the Port Real Estate Division. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
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