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M/V Coaster transports buoys and
divers to installation sites. |
Steve Lewis passed away Friday the 11th. Mr. Lewis served the MRC since 2007 officially representing recreational boating interests. He had been a boater nearly his entire life, owning rowboats, kayaks, sailboats from 9 feet to 46 feet, power boats from 14 to 40 feet in length. He taught boating skills and sailing skills, navigation and piloting to the general public for 28 years. Mr. Lewis was a member of the Port Townsend Yacht Club, and of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mr. Lewis had a bachelor's degree in biology from Harvard College, (1963) with additional studies at the University of Washington in oceanography. He worked for six years, 1965 - 1971 for the Oceanography Department of U.W.
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Buoy tackle rigging party,
January 28, 2011 |
In seeking appointment to the MRC, Mr. Lewis said: "I can well represent the Recreational boating interests, with some understanding of the biology and physical complexity of our impact on the marine environment." That statement proved to be more than true. What he didn't say is that he would loan his boat the "Coaster" for eelgrass marker buoy retrieval and installation, tirelessly volunteer his time and skills for annual rigging of the eelgrass marker buoy tackle, cheerfully staff the MRC's booth at the Wooden Boat Festival, take a leading role in the Eelgrass Stewardship video and regale us all the while with jokes, salty tales and sea shanties. Just two weeks before his death, Steve hosted a get together at his shop of MRC Eelgrass Committee members, to teach splicing, pass on his rigging skills and knowledge, and share a few songs. Steve will be sorely missed.
Tentative plans are for a memorial to be held on Feb 27th in Port Townsend (time and exact place to be determined).
