THE 73-foot ex-commercial fishing vessel converted into a yacht with a colorful name has left after quite an adventure in Port Angeles.
Platypus Marine, the full-service shipyard, yacht-repair facility and steel-boat manufacturer on Marine Drive, put La Rata Bastarda in the water last week.
On April 1, 2013, while on the hard at Platypus Marine’s yard, she caught fire while personnel were making welding repairs to the hull of the steel vessel for its Eatonville owners.
The afternoon blaze caught a lot of attention at the time as it forced the evacuation of 60 employees from Platypus’ facilities and thick smoke wafted across Marine Drive.
Flashing forward, I’m told the insurance company has sold the boat to a Canadian owner who arrived last week to tow the vessel — still showing some fire scars — from Port Angeles to her new undisclosed hailing port.
So long, La Rata Bastarda.
Navy patrol boat
Platypus Marine last Monday hauled out a 64-foot aluminum Navy patrol boat that is stationed in Bangor.
The boat is an escort vessel that was built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, Mass.
Her mission is to act as a screen for high-value military assets in domestic ports.
The vessel works in concert with the HOS Arrowhead and HOS Eagleview to escort submarines as they transit the Strait of Juan de Fuca into and out of Hood Canal.
The patrol boat is powered by twin MTU diesel engines that are coupled to Hamilton water jets and can reach speeds in excess of 30 knots.
The boat is equipped with a head, galley, berths and lockers, and mounted on the foredeck is a remotely operated weapons system.
The interior is outfitted with Shockwave heavy-duty suspension seats, shock-mitigating floor matting and a heating and air-conditioning system.
She is equipped with a thermal imaging system and an array of the latest technology for navigational and communication requirements.
I understand personnel are replacing the non-skid surfaces on the patrol boat.
Three-day work
Also last Monday, Platypus Marine hauled out Huey’s Island, a 110-foot Broward Luxury yacht.
Personnel replaced the yacht’s shaft seals and gave her bottom a fresh coat of paint.
She was back in the water Thursday afternoon, and I understand that Huey’s Island will spend the balance of the summer season in Alaskan waters.
Out of season
On Wednesday morning as the Washington State Ferry my wife and I were riding to Seattle was pulling into Elliott Bay, we saw the Bahamian-flagged bulk cargo ship Atlantic Hawk being loaded at the grain facility at Terminal 86.
From what little I know, the sight seemed a bit out of place because my understanding is that during the summer months, the products needed to fill the silos at the terminal are in the ground growing.
As a consequence, shipments from the terminal typically occur during the winter months.
Notwithstanding my bewilderment at what was going on, it was still an interesting sight to behold.
Port Angeles Harbor watch
Tesoro Petroleum last Monday provided bunkers to Finesse, a 900-foot petroleum products tanker anchored in Port Angeles Harbor.
Then on Wednesday, the barge Tesoro uses to bunker ships in the harbor was taken to Seattle, where it spent the rest of the week refueling cruise ships.
The refueling barge will return to Port Angeles on Monday.
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David G. Sellars is a Port Angeles resident and former Navy boatswain’s mate who enjoys boats and strolling the area’s waterfronts.
Items and questions involving boating, port activities and the North Olympic Peninsula waterfronts are always welcome. Email dgsellars@hotmail.com or phone him at 360-808-3202.
His column, On the Waterfront, appears Sundays.
