Your article of March 2, (“Navy sells its boats at marina) concerning changes in Whidbey Island Naval Air Station marine recreational facilities and equipment, may have led to confusion and misunderstanding. I’d like to clarify the situation for your readers. The article raised two issues: moving recreational boat rentals to Ault Field and disposing of the sailboat inventory.

The decision to move the Navy’s recreational boat rentals to the Ault Field-based outdoor recreation equipment rental center was a business decision pure and simple. A business analysis of the marina at Whidbey identified costly duplication of services both within the Navy’s MWR program and with the community. Co-locating the Navy’s marine recreational inventory on Ault Field meant substantial savings that could be reinvested to improve the inventory and eliminate out-dated equipment.

Disposal of the sailboats also made both common and business sense. Sailboats were the least used of the boat inventory and had the highest maintenance costs. To make matters worse, 30 percent of the sailboats were not in working condition. Some of the larger boats required special training, which severely limited their use. As a result, several months ago, the Navy decided it was no longer financially responsible to maintain these boats.

In accordance with established disposition procedures, the sailboats were transferred to the Defense Reutilization and Maintenance Office (DRMO) in October. After determining whether or not any other government agency was interested, DRMO arranged to sell the boats directly to the public. The Navy was not involved in this disposal process.

The Navy is proud to continue to provide a wide range of cost-effective recreational activities, facilities and equipment to military personnel, their families and other authorized users. MWR offers boat moorage at the Navy’s Crescent Harbor marina, fishing boats, outboard motors, crab pots, fishing gear, sleeping bags, foul weather equipment, trailers, campers, canoes, kayaks, tents and boating safety training for Whidbey-based sailors.

Furthermore, NASWI MWR is negotiating with Whidbey Island Navy Sailing Association to develop a sailing program at the Oak Harbor Marina in conjunction with Oak Harbor Yacht Club. This will allow sailors, their families and civilians the opportunity to continue to participate in sailing activities. MWR is also considering pre-positioning some rental boats at the marina during crabbing season.

R. S. Abernethy III

Captain, USN

Commanding Officer

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island