Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation

Purse Seiners on Parade prepping for summer fishing season in Alaska. Grateful for the shoreside infrastructure the Port of Bellingham provides. We wish you all full nets, good prices, safe seas, and memories to warm you through the winter months. Sea you in September!

Tide to Table 2026, hosted by Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition, was one for the books! From Yacht Rock attire and fresh Salish Sea seafood to live auctions, laughter, and community, this year’s celebration brought together everyone who cares deeply about our working waterfronts and maritime future.

A huge thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, dockside vendors, donors, and guests who helped make the evening such a success. The Raise the Paddle portion of the event directly benefits the work of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation, helping train the next generation of maritime professionals.

Tide to Table: A Swimming Success! — Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation On Saturday, April 25th, the Bellingham Yacht Club was transformed into the ultimate Yacht Rock celebration as friends, families, and waterfront businesses came together for an unforgettable evening supporting the waterfront community.

The Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship has officially graduated its inaugural cohort!

On May 1, we celebrated a major milestone for our region’s maritime industry as three apprentices completed the four-year state registered apprenticeship and became journey-level Marine Service Technicians.

Thank you to our apprentices, employers, instructors, partners, and community for making this historic achievement possible. Congratulations graduates!

Read the Foundation Feature here:

A Historic Night on the Waterfront: Celebrating the First Graduates of the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship — Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation On the evening of Friday, May 1, the Squalicum Boathouse was filled with energy, pride, and celebration as more than 70 community members gathered for a truly historic moment, the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship.

Today marks something truly special.

Our first cohort of the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship is graduating, becoming the first Marine Service Technicians in the U.S. to complete this program.

Celebrated during National Apprenticeship Week, this milestone reflects years of hard work, dedication, and the power of apprenticeship to build real careers.

Congratulations to our inaugural cohort!

Apprentice Spotlight!

Talia Piper, part of our inaugural graduating cohort, grew up on a farm in Colorado and discovered boating at 20, quickly becoming fascinated with how everything on a boat works. That curiosity turned into a career path, leading her to become a Marine Service Technician apprentice at NW Explorations and later joining Pacific Marine Yacht Systems.

When she’s not working, Talia enjoys spending time with her family and working on her own boat, continuing to build the skills and passion that brought her into the maritime industry.

National Apprenticeship Week is April 26 – May 2, 2026!

We’re celebrating the power of apprenticeship to build skills, open doors, and strengthen our maritime workforce. From Buoyant Beginnings Pre-apprenticeship to the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, these programs create real opportunities for individuals and employers alike. Follow along this week as we highlight the importance of apprenticeships and celebrate our first graduating class on May 1!

ONE MORE WEEK! Applications for the Buoyant Beginnings Pre-Apprenticeship close next Friday on May 1!

Spend 6 weeks this summer exploring careers in the marine trades through hands-on training, job shadows, and real work experience. And getting paid!

Don’t miss your chance to get started in the maritime industry, apply today!

Non-tribal Application: https://www.waterfrontfoundation.org/pre-apprenticeship
Tribal Application: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7kxz0LX3Ek-ydSpgPr7UIXjzI9WnDsBJhDAVDPpjVVtURjRKOVpDWjg0MjBGNEYyOU5GT0VaNjUyMS4u&origin=QRCode&fbclid=IwY2xjawQ3c29leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuNU83b0g0S3pIWWc5djRPc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp_uC8wn0lSTJ9XIcnjYkPQnOwWQOJIsK3yhs5cQqf82Sqb7m_IKTf_nTkqV_aem_6PsJydCDKkq-rgl2NV34Ew

The Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship has officially wrapped up another year of the program!

Congratulations to all of our apprentices advancing to the next level, you’ve put in the work and it shows. And a huge congratulations to our inaugural cohort of graduates on reaching this milestone.

We’re proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what’s next. See you all back in September!

TWO MORE WEEKS! Applications for the Buoyant Beginnings Pre-Apprenticeship close on May 1!

Spend 6 weeks this summer exploring careers in the marine trades through hands-on training, job shadows, and real work experience

Don’t miss your chance to get started in the maritime industry, apply today!

Non-tribal Application: https://www.waterfrontfoundation.org/pre-apprenticeship
Tribal Application: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7kxz0LX3Ek-ydSpgPr7UIXjzI9WnDsBJhDAVDPpjVVtURjRKOVpDWjg0MjBGNEYyOU5GT0VaNjUyMS4u&origin=QRCode&fbclid=IwY2xjawRTKHpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFET3ZWdExicHhza0lveUtkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHn80JjD7bV6wQGhbcg8HOPSPR9OJtvj8EqIxwd56AylN4fWsA7lPWdlXnj2X_aem_XgSiAXa5PenGTp7r0n50zQ

Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation Enhancing and preserving the maritime sector of Whatcom Country, Washington through apprenticeship training, careers and heritage.