Larsen visits Blaine Harbor, talks fueling station funding

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen visited Blaine Harbor Friday to speak with Port of Bellingham officials about the port’s plans for an in-water fueling station. 

Larsen’s visit to Blaine Harbor comes about a month before the 2026 election, in which he’s seeking reelection to Washington's 2nd Congressional District seat. Larsen, the Democratic candidate, is running against the Republican candidate Edwin Feller. 

Larsen has requested $2.8 million in the 2027 federal spending bills that would go toward the fueling station.

Port officials also shared their plans with Larsen for the Westman Marine cleanup project. 

Port of Bellingham Public Affairs Administrator Mike Hogan said the port hopes to begin the cleanup project next fall, but that timeline is dependent on state funding that would cover up to half of the $28 million project.

The fueling station and the cleanup projects are intended to help revitalize a once-bustling hub that was vital to the fishing industry.

Blaine Harbormaster Andy Peterson said that the fishing industry is a big economic driver, and hopes that the fueling station would help draw boatsmen into Blaine Harbor. 

Also in attendance to speak about the fueling station was Steve Seymour, co-owner of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company. Seymour said that the restaurant operates boats daily out of Blaine Harbor.

Seymour told Larsen that it’s “a pain in the neck” for the crews to get fuel for their boats without a fueling station at the harbor. Gas has to be bought at a gas station in Blaine and hauled to the boats.

“Right now there’s not a lot that brings people down here,” Seymour said of the Westman Marine site. 

Following Larsen’s visit, Mark Seymour, Steve’s son and co-owner of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, told The Northern Light “it would definitely be handy” to have a fueling station at Blaine Harbor. He operates one or two boats every day.

He said that Semiahmoo Marina is only minutes away, but wait times can vary when getting fuel there, especially during the offseason. Because of this, he opts to get gas at the Chevron on Peace Portal Drive.

Larsen said that he was interested in hearing the port’s plans for Blaine Harbor because in order to secure funding for the fueling center, he needs to know that there’s a solid plan in place.

Port officials assured him that there is a plan. 

“I would hate for you to leave here thinking we don’t have a plan,” Port of Bellingham Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone told Larsen. “We have a plan.”