Semiahmoo has a lot of special treasures, but one that might go unnoticed by most residents is our Marina. Very few golf course communities are also surrounded by water with a full-service marina that provides not only guest and transient moorage, but long-term purchase of a berth. For the last 13 years, Semiahmoo Marina has been under the leadership and direction of Harbor Master Doug Romano. During his tenure, the Marina’s mission statement “to be the best marina in the pacific northwest”, has come to fruition. Along with achieving that goal, Semiahmoo marina berths, which are fee simple condominium real estate, have seen an exceptional increase in value. Doug, who grew up on the banks of the Hudson River and as a young adult lived on the Seacoast of New Hampshire, has a lifetime of experience that benefits all of us. He has been in the PNW for the last 34 years and sailed the waters of Puget sound and farther north. During his lifetime he has owned 21 boats, both power and sail. Suffice it to say, the Captain knows a thing a two about marine recreation. For years the Semiahmoo marina had been struggling with deferred maintenance and lack of funding, as maintaining a marina is expensive. Doug’s approach was slow and steady, accomplishing the Board’s goals by a phased renovation of improvements. Although the Board has changed and new members come and go, Doug credits the Marina’s success, and his ability to provide leadership to staff and accomplish goals, to the Board’s determination that there can only be one person at the helm (it must be a boating thing). Doug, who also has a background in construction management, took over the Harbor Master position to get the marina back in shape. Although there were many goals, one of his primary objectives was to make sure to protect the long term values of all condominium moorage owners. Doug and his team have done a spectacular job. Doug modestly does not take credit for this success but says the real honor goes to the many Semiahmoo Marina owners who have volunteered countless hours to serve on the Marina Board, setting the direction and giving Doug the leadership reins to make the marina the world-class facility that it is. As Harbormaster, Doug currently employs 9 full-time staff and 2 part-time employees. Doug believes the group is a self-directed, collaborative team of players who are given the freedom to do their job well. Semiahmoo Residents should be proud that our Marina was awarded a “Clean Marina” certification by the Washington State Department of Ecology, funded through the Federal Clean Water Act. By adopting the Best Management practices (BMPs), Doug is committed to preserving the surrounding marine environment, and he has led the charge for us to be an environmentally friendly and safe marina. The marina implements all aspects of recycling and takes advantage of the Washington State Pump Out program. This program requires lots of paperwork and staff time, but it is the commitment to the Harbor, the Bay, and our marine environment by the Board and all owners that makes this possible. Doug Romano and the Semiahmoo Marina are just one more of the many reasons people choose to call Semiahmoo home.
Community Spotlight: Doug Romano
