By Mark Edward Nero
On Feb. 16, the Port of Vancouver USA announced that due to popularity, it would host 10 free public tours in 2017 -– two more than it did in 2016.
“We get great feedback and interest in our public tours, so much so that we’ve added four tours to our schedule since 2015,” port Chief External Affairs Officer Ryan Hart said.
The port’s free, 90-minute public tours showcase the industries that call the port home and give a taste of the maritime industry and global marketplace. Among the sites that visitors could see are massive ships berthed along the waterfront and some of the diverse cargoes handled on the port’s docks, such as steel, grain, minerals and automobiles.
The 2017 public tour dates are:
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 22
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11
• 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 24
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7
• 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 24
• 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14
Public tours begin at the port’s administrative building, at 3103 Northwest Lower River Road in Vancouver. At the outset, staff will provide a brief presentation about the port’s 105-year history, current projects, cargoes and global trade.
Then, participants will take a bus ride around the port for an interactive tour of bustling marine terminals and expanding industrial centers.
Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, is required to attend. Cameras are not allowed on marine terminals.
Reservations are required and tours fill up quickly. Those interested can call the port at (360) 693-3611 or email RSVP@portvanusa.com.
More information about the Port of Vancouver USA’s public tours is available at www.portvanusa.com/community/know-your-port.
