The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association and Floathaven Seaplane Base are hosting a Splash In at the Floathaven Seaplane Base, 0W7, on Lake Whatcom on Saturday, 16 August from 11:00AM - 3:00PM.
There will likely be a few impromptu talks and “hangar flying.” There will certainly be lots of good seaplane chatter.
Come & Enjoy. We have invited Megan Bugaj, Aquatics Invasive Species Coordinator for the City of Bellingham, to give WSPA an update on the AIS program for Lakes Whatcom and Samish.
New This Year: In association with the traditional Lake Whatcom splash-in the Lake Samish Seaplane Base (93WA – home of Don and Natala Goodman) welcomes seaplanes and seaplane enthusiasts for camping and socializing commencing on Friday the 15th and concluding Sunday the 17th. Come for one or two nights or just stop by in conjunction with the Lake Whatcom splash-in. This will be a no-host event. Bring your tent, overnight gear, food and beverages. Indoor toilet, showers, hot tub, sauna, barbecue and two firepits are available. As with Lake Whatcom, docking is at a premium. It may be possible to ramp or lift trailer some aircraft out of the water. Otherwise, we will be creative with beaching and buoys. A skiff will be available to shuttle to various locations.
Waiver
If you plan to attend this year, please complete the mandatory waiver linked below as soon as practicable.
https://waiver.fr/WSPAxFLOATHAVEN0W7
There are lots of other seaplane accessible destinations in the area that you might consider working into your plan for the day. Take a look at our Destinations Map by clicking the link below.
https://wspa.wildapricot.org/destinations
If you plan to attend the Lake Samish splash-in, or if you have questions concerning the Lake Whatcom splash-in, please contact Don Goodman, 360-303-7076, donaldjg56@gmail.com.
See you Saturday, August 16!
Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish, Washington - Aquatic Invasive Species Operating Agreement
In January 2015, WSPA and the Lake Whatcom Management Team (administratively led by the City of Bellingham) concluded negotiations on a cooperative agreement relative to aquatic invasive species (AIS) and seaplane operations on Lakes Whatcom and Samish. A synopsis of the agreement is as follows;
All pilots operating on either lake will;
- View the seaplane AIS training video at; https://www.seaplaneaistraining.com/
- Complete the video quiz and receive a certificate of completion
- Carry a copy of the Cooperative Agreement and pilot completion certificate onboard the aircraft
In addition to the above, pilots operating Resident Seaplanes (a seaplane based at either lake), will have the aircraft inspected by City inspection staff and purchase an annual AIS permit ($50) which shall be affixed to the aircraft or carried onboard the aircraft.
The City is requesting pilots voluntarily submit a periodic report of operational activity on either lake including landings on water bodies other than Whatcom and Samish.
Additional requirements exist if the aircraft has operated from a water body known to be infested with Quagga or Zebra mussels.
Again this year the City of Bellingham is requesting that any pilots/owners with seaplanes based at Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish make an appointment with inspection staff to get their planes inspected and permitted by calling (360) 778-7975.
WSPA is encouraging local pilots to make visiting pilots aware of this cooperative agreement. The risk of AIS introduction into our local lakes is real and we all want to enjoy and benefit from continued floatplane operations on Lakes Whatcom and Samish.
Don Goodman
WSPA - Secretary
