Like Spring? Like Boats? Then Come to Bellingham Yacht Club's Opening Day May 7th

The Bellingham Yacht Club is launching the 2022 boating season with a mix of the serious and the celebratory and the public is invited. Come tour the 45’ Coast Guard boat and view the Looney Tunes-themed boat parade accompanied by the Bellingham Fire Boat. The traditional flag raising and Blessing of the Fleet and information about joining the Bellingham Yacht Club are open to all. Participation in the boat parade does not require BYC membership and all who register will be eligible for prizes.

“We are so excited to welcome the Coast Guard to Opening Day and to see the inside of their rescue boats without having to be rescued first,” exclaimed BYC Trustee Jane Bright. The Bellingham Coast Guard Station is such an asset to our community, and this is our chance to meet and thank them,” she added. Tours will be open from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Gate 3 Squalicum Harbor.

Curious about joining the Bellingham Yacht Club? BYC members will answer questions about the Membership Special, why you should join with or without owning a boat, and how to join by May 19^th when the special ends. If you join on Opening Day, you will be invited to the Members Only afternoon party. Sponsorship is not needed.

“The BYC is such a special place and group of people,” said Rich Sandeen, Fleet Captain. “Members like to sail, race and cruise, musical members jam weekly and we all enjoy socializing. The Club is active year-round and for many, our BYC friendships are what got us through Covid.” Information about joining and the Membership Special is at https://byc.org/membership.

Additional safety resources and material will be provided by the Bellingham Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Bellingham Power Squadron including information about safety courses. Vessel examiners will be available to conduct boat safety checks.

The Bellingham Yacht Club is an all-volunteer club as well as the oldest yacht club on Bellingham Bay and the only yacht club offering a full-service bar and clubhouse with a deck on Squalicum Harbor. Our motto is: Friendships, boats and fun-filled experiences

For more information about Opening Day and how to register your boat for the parade: https://byc.org/opening-day.

Bellingham Yacht Club Opening Day Schedule

9:30 AM-10:30
- Members Reception
- Invited Guests, Members & Families
- Refreshments & Appetizers
- Traditional boating attire preferred
10:45-11:45 AM
- Public Ceremonies
- Welcome by Commodore and Anthems
- Introduction of visiting clubs and dignitaries
- Blessing of the Fleet
- Raising of the flags, main flagpole
11:00-12:30 AM
- Public invited to tour the 45’ Coast Guard boat at Gate 3, Squalicum Harbor
12:00 Noon
- Flag ceremony
1:00 PM
- Boats Away for Opening Day Parade-Boats Rendezvous - Bellingham Ferry Terminal and Parade Begins
3:00 PM
- Members and Invited Guests Party
- Food, Music, and Fun

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.