Rep. Kilmer, Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Murray, Secure Vital Support for Washington’s Maritime Industry
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), along with U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), announced they secured vital support for Washington’s maritime sector through a key provision they championed in the final conference report for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will provide dedicated financial relief to maritime dependent businesses and communities during a national emergency, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters.
The Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA) will establish a comprehensive new program under the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to provide financial assistance to eligible entities – which includes state and local governments, port authorities, and private vessel operators – to maintain the stability and reliability of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System (MTS) in the event of a national emergency or disaster, including, the current COVID-19 public health emergency. This emergency funding is critical to supporting businesses like the Black Ball Ferry Lines that have been forced to reduce or suspend operations due to the current public health crisis.
“Having grown up in Port Angeles, I’m conscious of how critical the Black Ball ferry is to our local economy. It’s helped Port Angeles become the gateway for tourists and supported so many local businesses. But, as has been the case for so many things during the COVID-19 public health crisis, it’s been really challenged during this difficult time,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why I’ve been working with our partners on the ground and Senators Cantwell and Murray to protect vital regional assets like the Black Ball ferry. I’ll keep working to ensure the federal government steps up during this unprecedent crisis.”
“Maritime transportation is a critical part of our way of life in the State of Washington. As we continue to fight COVID-19, it’s so important we don’t lose important community ties, like those between the Olympic Peninsula and Canada,” Senator Cantwell said. “Our local communities need support when unforeseen disasters strike, and I will keep working to secure much-needed economic relief for those impacted by the ongoing pandemic.”
“The Black Ball ferry has been a lifeline for communities on both sides of our Northern border for more than 60 years, and once we are through this crisis it will once again be critical to so many Washington state families and businesses,” Senator Murray said. “I’m glad that we were able to secure access to assistance for this essential Washington state institution, and I will continue working to get all of Washington state’s ferry systems the support they need to make it through this crisis.”
Steven Burke, Port of Port Angeles Commission President, thanked Rep. Kilmer, Senator Cantwell, and Senator Murray, for their work to include the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA). “MTSERA will provide a mechanism to assist maritime Ports in bringing economic activity to rural regions like ours. MTSERA will also help grow and sustain maritime interests impacted by the closure of travel between Canada and the Olympic Peninsula. We look forward to working with this new program to restore and grow the maritime economy in Clallam County.”
“We are so appreciative and pleased with the constant support and efforts of Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Congressman Kilmer for Black Ball and all of its employees,” said Ryan Malane, Co-owner & Vice President, Black Ball Ferry Line. “While Congress still needs to appropriate money, and we need to make application for funds, this is a major step forward.”
“This is highly welcome news for our local economy. This year and into 2021, we’ll lose the nearly half a million visitors that the Black Ball Ferry brings into our downtown, representing a loss of about $65M in sales, about $11M in state and local tax revenues, and threatening more than 700 jobs,” said Marc Abshire, Executive Director, Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. “We very much appreciate the efforts and success so far on the part of our congressional representatives to support this critical pillar of our economic community.”
“We know Black Ball is critical to more than 100 families that rely on Black Ball for a paycheck, but also hundreds of other businesses which employ nearly another 1000 people in our region. The new program secured by our congressional delegation is a big win for our communities and we are incredibly thankful for their tenacious support,” said Colleen McAleer, Executive Director, Clallam EDC. “But it is only the first step, the program will somehow need to be funded.”
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