Some people believe Washington, with its location on the Pamlico-Tar River, will become a haven for boaters. They could be right.

Years ago, Washington was a bustling, busy inland river port. At one time, warehouses lined its waterfront, with those warehouses holding goods being exported and imported.

These days, Washington’s waterfront is more about recreational boats than commercial shipping.

This Saturday and Sunday, the Washington Harbor District Alliance presents its first-ever Marine Market, a two-day event. Beth Byrd, WHDA director, believes the Marine Market will prove popular with the public and vendors.

Byrd, in an interview in February, said the Marine Market will show just how strong the marine industry is in and around Washington. She’s not alone in that thought.

“Eastern North Carolina and Beaufort County specifically have a lot of history and economic investment in the marine industry,” said Austin Smithwick with Park Boat Co., one of the Marine Market sponsors.

Many Beaufort County residents work in some aspect of the marine industry. Some of those residents build boats. Others repair boats and boat engines. Some folks sell marine supplies.

As for recreational boaters, more and improved access to the Pamlico River is being provided. Washington is preparing to add more boat slips to its docks along the waterfront promenade. The boat ramp at Havens Gardens is getting a facelift. A new public-access boat ramp is becoming a reality at Duck Creek. Beaufort County is seeking a $67,000 PARTF grant to help buy land for a proposed public boat-launching and fishing-pier complex at Crisp Landing on Blounts Creek. The Dinah’s Landing boat ramp at Goose Creek State Park has been improved.

Because WHDA considers boating a key to Washington’s future, it developed a website to promote the city’s docks. The website didn’t cost the city one dime.

WHDA, with assistance from faculty and students at Beaufort County Community College, developed the website, Byrd said. Ken Robol, a computer instructor at BCCC, and Byrd met at a Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce event, which led to them collaborating on development of the website.

The website, administered by WHDA, provides boaters details about using the city-owned docks, where to buy fuel, a brief history of Washington, current weather conditions and information about upcoming boating-related events in Washington.

“It’s to try to promote boaters to come to Washington to stay,” Byrd said in a brief interview earlier this year. “Since we have not really publicized the city docks, a lot of people don’t know about them.”

This weekend’s Marine Market will go a long way in letting people know about what Washington has to offer boaters and the boating industry. We recommend area residents attend the Marine Market.

Even if one doesn’t buy anything and contribute to the local economy, one can learn about the importance of the marine industry to the area.

Being educated is always a good idea. The Marine Market will provide that education in a fun way.