PORT LUDLOW — A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Clean Bay, a zero emission, all-electric workboat that will provide free pumpout services in Ludlow Bay, on the opening day of the Port Ludlow Yacht Club’s boating season on Saturday.
The Resort at Port Ludlow, in partnership with the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, invites the public to attend the ceremony for the Clean Bay at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The ceremony will be at Port Ludlow Marina, 1 Gull Drive, Port Ludlow before the workboat is christened during the Port Ludlow Yacht Club’s Opening Day ceremony and parade, said Jessie Short of Port Ludlow Associates in a press release.
The opening day ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the marina. All new boats will be christened before a boat parade in Port Ludlow Bay.
“The launching of Clean Bay is a dream come true,” said Alice Anda and Jim Ward of The Institute for Law and Systems Research in the release.
“In our experience, it marks a first in the use of e-propulsion, solar and battery technology for a logical class of boats,” they continued.
“We think it is a beautiful clean energy Northwest boat and hope that it is viewed as a prototype for the future.”
The Clean Bay boat, which also relies on solar power, is one of the few such workboats in the region, Short said.
It is the product of a community collaboration, she said.
Port Townsend-based naval architect Tim Nolan developed the design. Turnpoint Design, also based in Port Townsend, engineered the forms, and the hull, deck, house and marine systems were built and installed by students at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding.
Short said the workboat also will cut vessel noise, which impacts area orca and whale populations, as well as the potential for small oil and fuel spills and the release of cadmium and other metals associated with corrosion protection systems.
“We are excited to see this new mobile pumpout service on Puget Sound, especially at Port Ludlow, which is a popular destination with boaters,” said Aaron Barnett, environmental outreach specialist with Washington Sea Grant, in the release.
“I also think that the zero emissions pumpout boat M/V Clean Bay represents the best in workforce development and environmental stewardship.”
