THE LOSS OF El Faro, a 736-foot cargo ship on the eastern seaboard in the throes of hurricane Joaquin, has been called by some as the worst cargo shipping disaster involving a U.S.-flagged vessel in more than 30 years, a stark reminder that the ocean is never to be trifled with, regardless of the size of the vessel one may find themselves on.
El Faro was owned by the Tote Maritime family of companies, which also owns and operates North Star and Midnight Sun, the two 800-foot cargo ships either one of which can be seen a time or two each week heading west or east through the Strait of Juan de Fuca carrying freight between Tacoma and Anchorage, Alaska.
From Alaska to PA
Last week, Captain Cook and Adventure Bound were hauled out at the Port Angeles Boat Yard after having made their way to Port Angeles from Juneau, Alaska.
The vessels are used to take guests on tours through Tracy Arm to Sawyer Glacier, which I have been told is a sight to behold.
I understand that each vessel will have minor fiberglass repairs made and that both boats will have their bottoms painted.
Platypus Marine, the full-service shipyard, yacht-repair facility and steel-boat manufacturer on Marine Drive in Port Angeles, hauled out the Coast Guard cutter Swordfish, which is an 87-foot coastal patrol boat based in Pot Angeles
She will be out of service for a short period of time while Platypus’ skilled personnel perform maintenance on the props and shafts as well as sandblast, prime and paint the vessel.
In addition, the fuel tanks and gray-water tanks will be emptied, cleaned and inspected, and their respective lines will be power-flushed and replaced as necessary, as will any related valves.
I understand that every four years, all 87-foot patrol boats in the Coast Guard’s fleet — the Adelie and Wahoo in Port Angeles, and the Osprey in Port Townsend among them — are taken out of service to deal with similar maintenance items to ensure that the vessels remain in an optimal condition of readiness at all times.
Platypus also hauled out open lighter barge 1570 from Bremerton.
The 110-foot barge will be stowed in the North Building for the next two to three months as personnel sandblast, primer and paint the vessel; perform ultrasound testing on the plating; and replace any thin plates that are not within tolerances as well as apply a nonskid surface to the topside deck.
Shave and a haircut
Alaskan Eagle is sitting on the hard at Platypus’ facility. She was built by Northern Marine 11 years ago in Anacortes. The 77-foot yacht is out of the water for a shave and a haircut — maritime lingo for having her bottom cleaned and a fresh coat of bottom paint applied.
The 74-foot pilot boat Puget Sound was stowed in the Commander Building last week.
She was in for a shave and a haircut and a buff and wax.
The boat’s crew performed routine maintenance on the running gear.
The boat was scheduled to go back in the water Saturday morning.
On Tuesday, Tesoro Petroleum bunkered Iris Glory, a 741-foot LPG tanker.
On Thursday, Tesoro provided bunkers to Paramushir, a 442-foot cargo ship that is flagged in Russia and hails from Kholmsk.
On Friday, Tesoro refueled Bellamys, a 734-foot bulk carrier that is flagged in Liberia.
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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.
