Westport, WA – Momentum continues as the Westport Marina secured another major federal grant with the United States Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarding the Port of Grays Harbor a $6.274 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant for the replacement of Float 15, one of the Marina’s most critical commercial fishing docks. The grant will be matched by $3 million in non-federal funds.
Float 15 serves many of the largest commercial fishing vessels operating out of Westport, supporting vessels responsible for delivering tens of millions of pounds of seafood annually to local processors. The project reflects the Port of Grays Harbor’s ongoing commitment to preserving and strengthening coastal Washington's commercial fishing and seafood processing industries.
The Float 15 Replacement Project will remove the existing Float 15 dock and replace it with a new, modern dock system designed to meet the needs of today's commercial fishing fleet. Improvements include new finger piers ranging from 65 to 100 feet in length, a new main dock, new steel piles, an upgraded approach pier and gangway, and all new utilities, including enhanced electrical and shore power service, fire suppression infrastructure, and potable water service. The Float 15 Replacement Project has preliminary design completed and major state and federal permits secured.
“This award is tremendous news for the fishing industry, the Westport Marina, and our entire coastal community,” stated Port of Grays Harbor Commission President Stan Pinnick. “We are grateful to our federal delegation and MARAD for recognizing the importance of investing in working waterfront infrastructure. These improvements will help ensure the Westport Marina remains a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest's commercial fishing and seafood processing industry for decades to come.”
"Strategic investment in marina infrastructure is essential to maintaining Westport's position as a leading commercial fishing port," said Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Leonard Barnes. "These projects improve safety, operational efficiency, and resilience while ensuring our fleet has the facilities necessary to continue supporting Washington's seafood economy.”
The Port Infrastructure Development Program is a discretionary grant program administered by MARAD. Funds for the PIDP are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of goods moving through our nation’s supply chain. A total of $497,856,105 of funding was available to make awards under the FY 2026 PIDP grant program. The Port submitted an application for the Float 15 Replacement Project in June 2026.
The Westport Marina is the largest seafood landing port in Washington State and currently ranks 10th in the nation for both volume and value of seafood landed. The Marina’s docks are between 45 and 60 years old, which prompted the Port to launch its Marina Modernization Plan in 2022. The long-term initiative is focused on replacing, rehabilitating, and reconfiguring marina infrastructure through a phased approach designed to support future generations of commercial fishing, seafood processing, and maritime businesses.
Founded in 1911, the Port of Grays Harbor is one of Washington State’s oldest port districts and Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Grays Harbor operates 4 deep-water marine terminals, the Westport Marina, Bowerman Airport, Grays Harbor ship assist services, numerous public waterfront access facilities, in addition to industrial and business parks throughout the County. The addition of Satsop Business Park increased the Port’s properties to more than 1,000 acres of industrial properties and an additional 1,200 acres of sustainably managed forestland. Strategically located midway between Seattle and Portland and less than 1 ½ hours from open sea, the Port of Grays Harbor provides businesses a diverse portfolio of facilities. More information on the Port of Grays Harbor’s facilities and operations is available at portofgraysharbor.com or satsop.com.
