Nearly 150 high school students got a close-up look at marine firefighting Tuesday when Bellingham Fire Department's Salish Star crew participated in Blue Tech by the Bay at Squalicum Harbor. Students from 15 schools across the region gathered at the waterfront event, where working professionals from the marine and maritime industries opened their doors -- and their boats -- to give the next generation a hands-on sense of what a career on the water looks like.
Blue Tech by the Bay is an annual career exploration event organized through the Port of Bellingham, designed to connect high school students with employers and practitioners in maritime fields. The event takes place at the port's Fishermen's Pavilion and along the docks at Squalicum Harbor, giving students access to real vessels and real crew members. Past events have drawn participants from commercial fishing to marine trades, environmental science, and public safety on the water.
For Bellingham Fire, sending the Salish Star crew to Blue Tech is more than a community appearance. Marine firefighting is a specialized discipline that protects the boats, docks, and waterways that define Squalicum Harbor -- one of the busiest working waterfronts in the Pacific Northwest. Crew members demonstrated equipment and fielded questions from students curious about what it takes to fight fire on the water, from the technical training required to the day-to-day realities of the job.
The student turnout -- 15 schools and nearly 150 attendees -- signals strong interest in maritime careers across Whatcom County. The region has a deep connection to the water, from the salmon fleet at Squalicum Harbor to ferry routes, recreational boating, and the Port of Bellingham's shipping and industrial operations. Events like Blue Tech are part of a broader effort to ensure local students see those industries as legitimate career pathways rather than background scenery.
Bellingham Fire's crew noted that moments like this are exactly why they do the work they do. The Salish Star is designed specifically for marine response, equipped to handle vessel fires, water rescues, and waterfront emergencies that land-based fire trucks cannot reach. Giving students a look at that capability -- in person, dockside -- puts a human face on a career that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves.
Parents and educators interested in maritime career programming can explore opportunities through the Port of Bellingham's workforce development initiatives. The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County also tracks regional career and community programs for students and families. Blue Tech by the Bay typically returns each spring, and organizers have noted that demand from schools continues to grow year over year.
For Whatcom County, workforce development on the waterfront matters enormously. The marine and maritime sector employs hundreds of local residents -- from boat builders and mechanics to commercial fishermen, port operations staff, and emergency responders. Connecting students to those careers early keeps the pipeline healthy and ensures the region's waterfront remains a source of economic opportunity for generations to come. For more on local maritime career pathways, recent local workforce news offers broader context on how Whatcom County is investing in its communities.
