By By MIKE VOSS
mike@wdnweb.com
Contributing Editor
Washington has a new way to promote its city-owned docks on the Pamlico River — a website devoted exclusively to those docks.
Washington’s City Council got a chance to review that website — www.washingtonncmarina.com — during its meeting Monday night. Bill Sykes, a Washington resident and boater, and Beth Byrd with the Washington Harbor District Alliance, explained the website to the council. Sykes supported development of the website because he believed the city was not doing enough to promote its docks.
“The best part about this is it hasn’t cost the city one dime to produce,” Byrd told the council.
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 Wednesday. “Since we have not really publicized the city docks, a lot of people don’t know about them.”
Currently, the website is promoting the Washington Marine Market scheduled for April 30 and May 1. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1.
“The Washington Harbor District Alliance is proud to present the first open air market in downtown Washington on the Pamlico River,” reads the website’s listing for the Washington Marine Market. “Come to browse through all types of nautical gear — both new and used. Take advantage of the bargains on everything from fishing tackle to boats!”
WHDA is working on a news release that will provide additional details about the Washington Marine Market, Byrd said.