Earlier last week, Platypus Marine, the full-service shipyard, yacht-repair facility and steel-boat manufacturer on Marine Drive in Port Angeles, launched Terrapin, the Bellingham-based, 87-foot Coast Guard cutter that has been at their facility since early November for refurbishing and a new coat of paint.
Last Tuesday, Platypus Marine 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 foam fendering ring that is attached to and surrounds the hull of the vessel.
Armstrong aluminum
Armstrong Consolidated, a new aluminum boatbuilding company, has signed a lease agreement with the Port of Port Townsend and will begin building welded aluminum catamaran and monohull boats ranging in size from 24 to 60 feet in length under the name ACI.
The new company will operate out of the building once occupied by Gold Star Marine and will offer repair and refit for vessels of all sizes.
Additionally, ACI will service the existing repair business that Gold Star operated until its closure in October.
ACI was formed by Cory Armstrong, who for the past two decades has been a partner with his brother Josh in Armstrong Marine, the aluminum-boat manufacturer on U.S. Highway 101 midway between Sequim and Port Angeles.
In his current venture, Cory will be working with partners Jeremy Cornelson and Peggy Barnett.
Jeremy has owned and operated Blue Water Boatworks in Port Angeles for over 20 years and will be running the repair and refit side of the business. He grew up in the marine industry and has extensive experience working on large and small vessels.
Peggy’s career has been spent in marketing and business management, including owning several successful small businesses.
It is anticipated that the new venture will bring approximately 30 additional marine trade jobs to Port Townsend.
Boating safety classes
The Point Wilson Sail and Power Squadron will offer a nine-hour boating, seamanship and safety course at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, 42 Water St., Port Hadlock, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25.
This is an approved course for qualifying for the Washington State Boater’s Education Card, which is mandatory for boaters born after Jan. 1, 1955, who are operating a 15-horsepower engine or higher on a power or sail vessel.
The cost is $45, which includes materials.
For more information or to register for the classes, phone Linda Newland at 360-437-9350.
Return visit
Last week, Astoria Bay, a 610-foot cargo ship, moored to the Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal 3 to take on a load of approximately 7 million board feet of logs for China that were harvested from private lands owned by Merrill & Ring.
This is the first of about 13 log ships that will come to Port Angeles in 2016 for roughly 72 million board feet of logs, all of which will be harvested from private lands in Western Washington.
In 2015, 12 cargo ships came dockside for 69,705,700 board feet of logs that were exported to China.
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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 and boat yards.
Items and questions involving boating, marina and industrial activities and the North Olympic Peninsula waterfronts are always welcome. News announcements about boating groups, including yacht clubs and squadrons, are welcome as well.
Email dgsellars@hotmail.com or phone him at 360-808-3202.
