Port kicks out Kingston kayak business

May 23--KINGSTON -- The Port of Kingston is kicking a kayak rental business off a port-owned float in Appletree Cove, capping weeks of controversy over the business's use of public property.

The port issued an eviction notice to Kingston Adventures this week after the business failed to sign a commercial use agreement, which requires businesses leasing port property to carry insurance and hold the port harmless for any damages or injuries.

Port manager David Malone said Kingston Adventures has "refused multiple offers of compromise."

"If anything occurs, the port would be 100 percent liable," Malone said. "It's the same as when you rent an apartment or car -- you have to have insurance, you have to sign a user agreement."

Kingston Adventures owner Beth Brewster declined to comment.

Dennis McGlothin, an attorney hired by Kingston Adventures, said the business is being "pushed out" despite the services it provides Kingston residents and its value to the local economy.

Kingston Adventures "is doing a lot to put Kingston on the map as a tourist destination," McGlothin said.

He said Kingston Adventures is considering possible legal action against the port.

The agreement, he said, would unfairly limit recourse if the port harms the business or breaches the lease.

Kingston Adventure's storefront on Maine Street, which offers bicycle and snowshoe rentals, is not on port property. It's unclear how it will continue the water-related portion of its business, including paddleboard rentals, guided kayak tours and kids summer camps.

Kingston Adventures has until late June to remove its vessels from the float's storage area.

Conflict between the port and Kingston Adventures flared up nearly two months ago when the port moved a float owned by the city of Poulsbo. The small float had been used by Kingston Adventures to launch kayaks and paddleboards. The port moved it to comply with permits, meet safety standards and better support Poulsbo's sailing program.

Brewster told the Kitsap Sun in early May that the move would mean the loss of about 70 percent of her business.

Malone was hired in December with orders to clean up the port's operations.

"When I came aboard, I was to make sure everything is in compliance with rules and regulations," he said. It appears Kingston Adventures had been allowed to operate on the port's float since 2012 without having signed the required agreements.

Malone said there are no additional fees connected to the commercial use agreement.

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