Among those representing Homer at the Pacific Marine Expo 2014 in Seattle Nov. 19-21, were, from left, Peter Ford of Kachemak Marine Haulout Service; Jennifer Hakala of NOMAR; Kate Mitchell of NOMAR and president of Homer Marine Trades Association; Eric Sloth of Sloth Marine; Bryan Hawkins of the Port of Homer; and Eric Engebretsen of Bay Weld Boats. 

According to Mitchell, a 20-foot booth was an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to purchase advertising space. About a dozen other locals helped tend the booth including Mike Stockburger of the Homer Boat Yard, Glen Caldwell of Alaska Boats and Permits, Matt Alward of Bulletproof Nets and Steve Zimmerman of Desperate Marine.  A PowerPoint that ran continually also was an opportunity to spread the word about services available in Homer.

“The whole idea is getting Homer represented in one spot,” said Mitchell. 

This is the fourth year Homer has had a booth at the expo and it attracted a good amount of interest, according to Mitchell.

Closer to home, Homer Marine Trades is sponsoring a class at Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College-University of Alaska Anchorage, next semester for anyone interested in becoming a deckhand. A class in aluminum welding is being co-sponsored by Homer Marine Trades and Bay Weld Boats. 

Homer Marine Trades has a board meeting monthly, with an open round-haul meeting quarterly. The next open meeting will be held at NOMAR from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 12. For more information, visit homermarinetrades.com or call Mitchell at 235-8363.