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In this issue: The progress that's impossible to see, unless I tell you about it! Plus: The big maritime stories I'm following.
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Behind-the-scenes: How I'm building Future Tides
Lately, I haven't hit "publish" as often as I would like. But judging my progress by the article count would do the slow and steady project that is Future Tides a disservice. Here are a few of the tasks keeping me busy behind the scenes:
1. Forming a legal business. LLC registration. Tax ID number. Business license. Future Tides now has all of these!
Receiving a grant meant needing a bank account, the start of finances and accounting. My previous job at GeekWire included managing many of these administrative tasks but starting from the beginning is different.
This has not happened without help: Lawyers for Reporters took Future Tides on as a client and is helping me with pro bono legal services. I've also connected with a free small business mentor through SCORE. My grandfather volunteered with SCORE, so that's a fun connection!
2. Informational interviews and such. On both the media and entrepreneurship front, I am talking to helpful, knowledgeable people.
Often after these calls, my brain is firing on all cylinders and I want to dive into new ideas. For now, they are compiled into notes, then re-emerging in planning documents and some will eventually become part of a focused strategy.
It's been a year since I published my final essay for CUNY's Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators program. I reread it and have little to change. Everything outlined there is still my plan and focus, the highs and lows still ring true. The resources and connections I gained through that program continue to guide me and I remain a student in many ways.
Last week, I celebrated this one year mark with some members of my cohort! I spent many Zoom hours with this international group of journalists and everyone in attendance had inspiring professional and personal accomplishments to share.
I also conducted a peer feedback exercise, asking several journalists to review three Future Tides articles and three issues of this newsletter. They all had something positive to say, which is encouraging! But also provided me with tangible feedback I've found incredibly helpful.
3. Identifying my tools. I'm researching and preparing to make some key decisions about technology and services for Future Tides.
This includes developing the website, the content management system (CMS), email service provider (ESP), tools for surveys and polls, sourcing images for articles, making cool maps and more. For each one, I am considering the cost, compatibility and its long term potential.
Right now, Future Tides articles are hosted on my personal Wordpress website (this was the fastest way for me to start publishing) and you receive these newsletters via a free MailChimp account. I use the free level of Later to schedule social media posts. This setup isn't meant for the long term.
Future Tides has been accepted into a program for small publishers that includes a promising tech stack. It would, crucially, allow me to focus more on writing and building the business, rather than setting up a website, learning about Wordpress plugins or troubleshooting something not working as intended. It does come with a monthly cost, but is something I'm seriously considering. More to come.
4. Building this "boat-y beat." I've joked that I just want to write about boats, and while I absolutely love that, my vision for Future Tides covers much more than boats. It also includes covering complicated topics from the marine environment to the maritime workforce to regulations impacting recreational boaters, fisheries and more.
I am one person, I can’t do it all. I’m using this process to build my background knowledge through in-depth articles, podcasts and books (any interest in a Future Tides’ book list?). I’m also closely following what other media outlets, especially those dedicated to this region or the maritime community, are covering and — more importantly — what they are not covering.
Listening remains critical. I’m listening to what people say in passing, in the Future Tides community survey responses and, for better or worse, in online forums. I aspire to facilitate more in-person discussions in the future.
🤔 I suspect I will continue to swing between visible and less visible phases of work as Future Tides continues. I appreciate you coming along through this process! I hope to deliver some piece of news or information you find valuable, if not in every issue, then in almost every issue.
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Don't forget! 👉 🗳️ Submit your questions: I'm working on the next two installments of a special series about the role of technology and innovation in boater education and safety.
- The USCG has approved electronic visual distress signals (eVDSD) in lieu of pyrotechnic flares. What would you like to know about them?
- More than 450,000 people have been certified to meet Washington's boater education requirement, many by completing an online course. What are your questions or impressions about online boating education?
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On the radar: Major maritime stories unfolding
As part of building my “beat,” I read a lot. Over the past nine months of this focused reading diet, I’ve identified these bigger picture stories, some already underway and others just emerging. I believe most will be important to Future Tides, unless I hear you all say otherwise.
- The use of alternative energy in recreational and commercial vessels and the role of marine areas in generating alternative energy — Numerous technologies aim to succeed gas and diesel powered vessels. Not all will succeed and how this transition achieves widespread adoption, is still unclear. Meanwhile, wave and wind-generated power is in the design, license and build phase, offering hope for energy providers and raising concerns for environmentalists and fishing communities.
- Regional ferry systems — Kitsap County Transit is now operating three of its Fast Ferry routes. WSDOT is seeking a builder for its new ferries. Des Moines is piloting a passenger ferry for two-months and there is a notable amount of federal funding earmarked for regional ferry infrastructure. I’m a self-admitted fan of passenger ferries but I think the specter of the Mosquito Fleet is watching too.
- The ongoing role of Indigenous tribes on their ancestral waterways and homelands — Many Coast Salish tribes are involved in habitat restoration, designing new cultural monuments, restoring docks and celebrating their canoe culture. Salmon populations, net pen farming and new aquaculture initiatives are a few of the ways that tribal priorities intersect with those of wildlife officials, environmental advocates and other residents.
- Increasing marine traffic - The breadth of users on Washington’s waterways inspired Future Tides. Picture Lake Union on a warm, sunny July day: it’s a patchwork of charter vessels, seaplanes, sailboats of various sizes, jet skis, wake surf boats, hot tub boats, pontoon boat and all kinds of paddle craft.
Puget Sound is much larger but it may also be part of this trend: scheduled cruise ship sailings are up 40% from 2019; containerships are being built larger than ever while several container ports are expanding; new ferry routes may continue to be added as part of the region’s larger transportation infrastructure; plus a wide range of recreational vessels. The region’s growth inevitably extends to its waters.
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Happy Summer from S/V Capi! Puffy coats and wool socks included :)
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