Waterfront Supplement to the Wednesday, January 25, 2017 edition of the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
Boatbuilding school ties trades together ✯ Draws in students, partners with marine businesses Kirk Boxleitner kboxleitner@ptleader.com
Ask staff members of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding about its broader role, and they’ll tell you they see their school as a key contributor to the community. They’re also quick to credit their partnerships with making the marine trades so strong in East Jefferson County. “A lot of the people who now work at the [Port Townsend] Boat Haven first came here to attend our school,” said Betsy Davis, executive director of the boatbuilding school. “And when we build a boat, we can have half a dozen other local businesses helping us out, installing the upholstery or electronics while we do the woodworking. It’s a testament to the breadth of marine trades that are active and available here.” On Jan. 3, the school began its current enrollment period for the next 12-month session of classes, starting in October. Class sizes have ranged from 30 to 60 students per year, with pupils ranging from recent high school graduates to retirees of 40-year careers, although Davis noted that about three-quarters of the students tend to be in their 30s or younger. Likewise, while the school welcomes students who choose not to pursue careers in the marine industry, Davis added that close to 70 percent of its graduates are required to gain employment in the field in order for the school to remain accredited. “Sometimes they go into related trades, like sailmaking,” Davis said. “We’ve had contractors and journeyman electricians come in to learn the woodworking aspect of boatbuilding. We had two people come here from Switzerland – one was a chemist, another was
a fashion designer – because they said this was the best boatbuilding school in the world.” The school’s international students have included visitors from Europe and the Pacific Rim alike, training both Austrians and Australians, which, Davis pointed out, has helped The Sea Beast is a 36-foot motorsailer that the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding intends to have completed this generate revenue for the local spring. Courtesy photo economy, as those students have spent money and paid rent for lodging. local and regional businesses, learn about boats, inside and focus more on satisfaction and And while the basics of and including the Port of Port out, and develop good problemaccomplishment.” wooden boatbuilding remain Townsend, the Port Townsend solving skills along the way.” Jeff Galey moved to the a mandatory course for School District’s Maritime DisDavis quoted former Port Pacific Northwest from Kansas all students, regardless of covery School, Seattle Central Townsend Mayor David King, after building a simple boat to experience level, the school Community College and Port who had a career in the marine go pond fishing, and realizing is planning to expand its curTownsend High School. trades, who said her school was he wanted to learn more. riculum with courses on marine “I’ve been asked, ‘Why to the local community “what “It was totally rewarding, technology systems within the is wooden boatbuilding still Stanford is to Silicon Valley.” floating around on something I next couple of years. relevant?’” Davis said. “Lots By the time Richard made,” he said. “They’ll be able to learn of boats still include extensive Johanson had graduated from He attended the Northwest about engines, plumbing, woodworking, and our students the school, he’d fallen so much School of Wooden Boatbuilding, electrical systems and tankage can apply the skills they hone in love with it that he didn’t and then got a marine trades for boats,” Davis said. “To that in our courses to even the boats want to leave. The former job in Port Townsend. He has end, in order to keep our home that don’t. Regardless of what Seattle banker was inspired to been with the Port Townsend campus here in Port Hadlock, type of boatbuilding they might pursue wooden boatbuilding as Shipwright’s Co-op for nine we’ll be investing in our on-site go into, our students really a vocation after a heart attack years, the last six as an owner. facilities. By from the stress of his work left The boat school “is a huge building a large him questioning his career. resource” that turns out people milling room in “Most of the paperwork who often transition from the Hammond we produce is forgotten,” said employees to business owners, shop, we’ll be Johanson, who now serves as Galey noted. moving those the school’s admissions and Tim Lee has been around noisy machines student services manager. “I Port Townsend since 1989, and farther away wanted to leave a lasting legacy was chief instructor at the boat from our classby creating something with my school for 13 years. He joined rooms, so they’ll hands.” the Shipwright’s Co-op as an have more space The first time Johanson was owner in 2013. and be able to able to build a boat, for a family There’s a saying in the hear better.” that he knew would take care of trades that the Wooden Boat To ensure it over time, “It was one of the Festival throws a party that that the school’s most satisfying moments of my serves as great advertising for curriculum life,” one that he hopes other all the marine trades (and Port continues to students are able to experience. Townsend in general) and the meet the needs of “If you’ve graduated college, boat school is a source of raw the surrounding but the job market for your talent. marine industry, degree isn’t what you were “There is a huge concentrait has a program tion of talent in this town; it’s hoping for, consider us,” advisory comkind of mind boggling,” Lee Johanson said. “If you already mittee whose said. “The boat school certainly have an engineering degree, members repreis a big part of that.” you can still learn about boat sent 15 organizaBen Kahn, a former student of the Northwest School building. It’s been a very (Leader Staff Writer Patrick tions in the field, of Wooden Boatbuilding, measures the corners of the rewarding life for me. I’ve J. Sullivan contributed to this ranging from cabin of the Sea Beast. Photo by Kirk Boxleitner story.) been able to slow down and 2 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
Port Townsend Foundry LLC A leading American manufacturer of Marine, Architectural and Industrial Hardware. est. 1883
By supporting local manufacturers and buying locally made products, you help build stronger communities and local economies. Please support our young crew of talented craftspeople and their future, in turn they will support our community and your project. Proud to say made in the USA, made on the peninsula for the rest of the world. We are holding a steady course into the future, with the traditions of the past.
We pour a little history every day!
Thank you for your patronage! - The Foundry Crew -
Visit our showroom at 251 Otto St, Port Townsend • (360) 385-6425 PortTownsendFoundry.com • ptf@olypen.com • A sustainable and green industry. 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ the Port townsend & Jefferson County Leader 3
Propulsion pioneers come clean ✯ Battery technology expands cruising options Viviann Kuehl viviann.kuehl@gmail.com
Revision Marine in Port Townsend is trying to revise the way boaters use fossil fuels, for the benefit of the planet, and to improve boating experiences at the same time. Imagine boating with silent, powerful engines with an ability to move the boat in any direction, or even to turn in place, a bonus for docking, and without the expense or mess of fossil fuels. Steering with a joystick, rather than a tiller or wheel, adds to the ease of operation. The quietness makes it easier to enjoy beautiful surroundings and see marine life. With the system tied to GPS, it’s also possible to keep the boat in one place in deep water. Stopping for lunch in front of a waterfall, staying in place in 600 feet of water while preparing lunch is no problem. All this is no longer hypothetical. Revision Marine partners Matt Mortensen and Chris Brignoli, both marine electricians, and former partner Peter Geerloff, have converted Mortensen’s charter boat engine to a diesel-electric hybrid, similar to a Chevrolet Volt, to prove their concept. The primary propulsion of the Singawing, a 68-foot overall staysail schooner used by Mortensen and his wife, Andrea Knutson, remains sail. The secondary propulsion is electric. Refitting and repowering can happen in submarines, catamarans, sailboats, and high-speed runabouts, like ski boats, said Brignoli. The New Pacific, a 100-foot Alaskan trawler, is saving 5,000 gallons of fuel a year in going from 24 hours a day generator operation to just two hours, saving sanity, reducing
maintenance, and decreasing pollution. Singawing’s fuel tank was reduced from 500 to 300 gallons. She typically makes nine-day charter cruises from Juneau to Sitka, or vice versa, with no more than three to four hours of sail time per day. She can cruise for up to three hours on stored electric power. That power can be generated by solar panels, generator, shore power, wind, or water currents. Under sail, pushing a regeneration button on the control panel causes the props to reverse direction, then folding blades open and power up the batteries, with a sailing speed reduction of just a couple knots, said Mortensen. “It’s all clean power,” he noted. The generator separates the exhaust from the water, so it remains relatively quiet at 60 decibels inside the boat. On deck, outside the cabin, the sound of the generator is not noticeable, said Brignoli. A boat is not just a vehicle that gets you from point A to B; it’s also a self-contained home, with power, water, and sewage systems to maintain life. As part of the energy-saving strategy, the cabin’s R-values have been improved by insulating its deck roof, adding argon to the space between the double glass windows, and insulating the hull. The lighting has been converted to LED for energy savings, and appliances are energy efficient. Without solar, household needs can be met for 10 days on an hour of generator time. What’s changed everything is energy, said Mortensen. It’s all in the battery. Recent improvements in battery capacity in the automotive world have made all this possible. Lithium ion batteries allow four times
Revision Marine’s Matt Mortensen takes a look at one of the rotating azmuthing drives in the hold of his charter sailboat, Singawing. Photo by Viviann Kuehl
the energy density with a third of the weight, and 98 percent efficiency. They compare the difference to the way cell phones went from a clunky handset with a suitcase battery to a powerful computer in your pocket. A 2-foot by 4-foot by 20-foot keel filled with batteries is capable of containing a megawatt of energy, said Mortensen. With that capacity, a boat could cruise on battery power to Alaska with just five or so shore power stops, noted Brignoli. “The goal was always to be more eco-friendly, and drive with electricity, but the technology just wasn’t there,” said Mortensen. With the new batteries you can get incredible amounts of low rpm torque, said Brignoli. “We always wanted to be electric pioneers. Just like in the automotive world, the times are a-changing.” “The marine market is tiny compared to the automobile industry, explained Brignoli, “so we rely on market research done for electric propulsion of cars. We understand marine environments and how to adapt to the unique issues of boating.” With two or three years of projects ahead of them, Revision Marine wants to teach people in other marine trades yards how to do the
conversions, perhaps building a network, starting with work on the historic Western Flyer and its restoration at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op. “We want to be knowledge leaders, and designers,” said
Mortensen. “We want to share this technology.” Mortensen is offering free dockside propulsion system tours, and information is available at Revisionmarine.com and greatbearcharters.com.
The Singawing is a 68-foot staysail schooner that’s become a pilot project for Revision Marine’s unique electronic propulsion system. The schooner can cruise for up to three hours on stored electric power. The Singawing is moored at Point Hudson Marina. Photo by Patrick Sullivan
4 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
Make a Living craft a life
THANK YOU
These maritime leaders advise the Boat School on our programs to make sure students receive an education relevant to today’s workplace. Ann Avary, Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology Brandon Davis, Turn Point Design Sam Devlin, Devlin Designing Boat Builders Jim Franken, James J. Franken, Inc. Stephen Gale, Haven Boatworks Sam Gibboney, Executive Director Port of Port Townsend David King, Retired CFO Townsend Bay Marine, Past Mayor of Port Townsend Jim Lyons, Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op Member Dan Newland, Pegasus Aeromarine Inc. Peter Proctor, Jensen Marine Kevin Ritz, Lead Instructor American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Gordon Sanstad, Shipwright, Former Marine Carpentry Instructor at Seattle Central Community College Jim Tolpin, Writer, Craftsman, Instructor at Port Townsend School of Woodworking Walt Trisdale, Port Townsend Mechanic & Systems Technician
Associate of Occupational Studies Degree Now enrolling for school year starting October 2017
42 N. Water Street Port Hadlock, WA 360-385-4948
www.nwswb.edu
Our school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Veterans Benefits and Financial Aid available for those who qualify.
Be ready for whatever weather the day brings.
We stock a wide variety of supplies for your boat projects including: Fiberglass Cloth & Resin, Zinc Anodes, Hoses & Fittings, Chain, Tools, Cotton, Pine Tar, Oakum, Bronze, Galvanized & Stainless Fasteners, Paint & Varnish, Rope, Line & Twine, Electrical Supplies and more! We also carry Rain gear, Boots, Gloves, Safety Supplies & Propane.
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8-5:30, Saturdays: 9-5
305 10th Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 360-379-9921 www.admiralshipsupply.com email@admiralshipsupply.com
PORTTOWNSENDSAILS.COM (360) 385-1640
2017 Working Waterfront âœŞ the Port townsend & Jefferson County Leader 5
The Port of Port Townsend’s three mobile boat hoists can access buildings, including the complex now occupied by the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op. Photo by Rachel Ganapoler
‘Honor in the trades’ ✯ Maritime skill-set tops in PT Patrick J. Sullivan psullivan@ptleader.com
It’s no secret that Port Townsend is the place to bring your wooden boat or fiberglass yacht for repairs, restoration, rigging or in the case of many commercial fishing boats, what’s known as a shave and a haircut. New to the scene in recent years is a surge in custom aluminum fabrication businesses, to go along with the machine shops, mechanics and other support services. With the changing population in PT and East Jefferson County, it’s always good to remind folks never to judge a person by the stains on their work clothes. That
person with well-worn Carhartts and a tattered cap may be responsible for designing, building and/ or repairing multi-million dollar vessels. “The awesome part of Port Townsend is the skill,” said Jeff Galey, one of the owners at Port Townsend Shipwright’s Co-op. “The collective wealth of this entire Port of Port Townsend yard is astonishing.” The port operates as an “open” yard allowing boat owners to work on their own vessels, contract direct with a business, and/or hire any number of subcontractors. Businesses and independents in East Jefferson County can handle structural woodwork, cabinetry and interior,
and women in many age ranges collaborate to help boat owners, and each other, with traditional and modern techniques. “There is real honor in the trades,” Gibboney said. The port operates three mobile boat hoists with top capacity of 300 tons to access its boatyard and shipyard. One of Gibboney’s goals for “Any object or device can be built in this town,” said 2017 is to streamline Arren Day, graduate of the Northwest School of Wood- its system to benefit en Boatbuilding, a 20-year shipwright, and now one of both customers and the owners at Port Townsend Shipwright’s Co-op. Day tenants. “It’s not the rates is known for his fabrication skills. Photo by Patrick Sullivan [that impact business],” Gibboney said. “It’s finishes, rigging and spar more important to have making, systems, propulsion, effective, reliable scheduling.” fabrication (metal, wood and a foundry), diesel engines, electric CRAFTED ALUMINUM motors, vacuum chambers, LEDs, Port Townsend features at boat design, and more. least two businesses specializing There are an estimated 400 in custom aluminum products. to 450 jobs connected to port Dan Wiggins of Craftsman property, and at least 50 busiUnited, Inc., builds specialty nesses, noted Sam Gibboney, pieces, large and small. His work hired last year as the public port included pieces for the Washdistrict’s executive director. Men ington State Ferries’ new vessel,
6 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
Chimacum, set to launch in 2017. Just down Boat Street from Craftsman is Armstrong Consolidated LLC, primarily doing new construction as ACI Boats, with Gold Star Marine being its repair and service side. Presently, the business has 27 employees. ACI Boats opened here in 2016 to build custom aluminum catamarans in the 24- to 36-foot range. “Overall, we found some great people here,” said owner Cory Armstrong about building his workforce. “The port has been more than helpful and is working on us with the challenges we face. The community and marine businesses are supportive.” Debuting at the 2017 Seattle Boat show, Jan. 27-Feb. 4. is ACI’s trailerable, 28-foot “Lumacat” offered in both a fishing and cruising version. Intended as an off-shore boat for hard-core sports fishermen, the Lumacat has a walk-around cab – rare in the marketplace – and offers curb appeal along with a fast, comfortable ride. Dave Franz, sales manager at ACI, said the aluminum-based company fits in well in PT, long known as the West Coast’s wooden boat capital.
Gases, Safety and Welding Supplies for Industry and Life Visit us in Port Townsend! 847-B W. Park Avenue
(360) 385-9533 Our friendly staff can insure you have the right tools for the job! Welding Equipment, Safety & Industrial Supplies, Equipment Rental & Repair, Gas Delivery & Cylinder Exchange
WWW.CENTRALWELDING.COM
Environmental/Critical Area Reports Wetland Ratings & Delineation A diversity of marine trades skills are found in East Jefferson County. Port Townsend Foundry, a custom and production nonferrous foundry, has been serving the marine trades and other industries since 1983. Leader file photo
“Boats are functional art work,” Franz said, whatever their construction type. “A lot of people who work in the [aluminum fabrication] industry could make more money in aerospace or aviation,” Franz said, “but they love boats. That’s what I see all around the yard, people who love boats.”
FULL-SERVICE YARDS
Haven Boatworks, LLC is one of the port’s larger tenants, a full service boatyard specializing in the restoration, repair and construction of wooden boats. Their job is made possible in part by the presence here of Edensaw Woods, Ltd., an unparalleled provider of custom wood products. “It’s unusual in that we do have such a large quantity of wooden boats that come through here,” Julia Maynard, who with Stephen Gale is a Haven co-owner and manager, said of PT in general. “We seem to be known for that. We have the [Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding], and draw a lot of talented woodworkers from
Keith Holm works on a sailboat in the Port of Port Townsend boatyard. Photo by Rachel Ganapoler
other parts of the country. The craftsmanship is outstanding for structural work.” The Port Townsend Shipwright’s Co-op is one of the oldest marine trades business in Jefferson County. The co-op has grown in recent years to having a dozen owners and 27 employees. In August 2015 the company moved into the complex started by Admiral Marine Works and used more recently by Townsend Bay Marine. Commercial fishing vessels
are primary customers at the full-service yard, although private yachts now account for about half the jobs, said Arren Day, one of the firm’s owners. Co-op personnel have serviced commercial boats in Alaska, such as Seward and Kodiak. Nothing compares to Port Townsend. “A lot of the yards don’t seem to have the infrastructure of people to do the work,” Galey noted. “It’s impossible to find a place quite like this.” One of the recent projects is a wooden boat built during World War II to serve as a floating listening post in the Aleutian Islands. It was converted to a fishing tender. It’s a repeat customer, back for a “shave and a haircut” – fresh bottom paint and zincs to protect the hull’s metal parts from corrosive saltwater. “Commercial boat owners usually like to get in and out,” Galey noted. “When they’re out of the water, they’re not making money, so they appreciate yards that know how to get the work done. Here in Port Townsend, we know how to get things done.”
SCUBA and Habitat Surveys
Environmental Permitting
marine.surveys.inc@gmail.com (360) 385-4073 www.marinesurveysandassessments.com
SMALL BOATS
Publisher: Lloyd Mullen Newsroom: Patrick J. Sullivan, managing editor; Allison Arthur, assistant editor; Katie Kowalski, arts; Kirk Boxleitner Copy editor: Sunny Parsons
On the cover
Daryl Dietrich of Haven Boatworks, LLC works on a wooden boat hauled in 2016 at the Port of Port Townsend. Photo by Rachel Ganapoler
WORKING WATERFRONT
Marketing: Catherine Brewer, Jen Clark, Lloyd Mullen Classifieds: Janay Collins, Anna Jackson
✯
Circulation: Kaye Bailey, Desiree Alexander, John Stroeder
Editor: Patrick J. Sullivan Layout & Design: Marian Roh Published by the
The Port Townsend Leader, LLC 226 Adams St., Port Townsend WA 98368 (360) 385-2900 (360) 385-3422 (fax)
Production: Marian Roh, Scott Herning Accounting: Betty Grewell
BIG ADVENTURE. www.SmallCraftAdvisor.com
Copyright © 2017
2017 Working Waterfront ✪ the Port townsend & Jefferson County Leader 7
Matt Fahey, a regular customer of Admiral Ship Supply, shares a smile with store employee Dave White. Photos by Kirk Boxleitner
Happy in his ‘cage’ ✯ Admiral Ship Supply serves boaters, businesses Kirk Boxleitner kboxleitner@ptleader.com
Bob Frank had always wanted to be in charge of the inventory “cage” for one of the boating businesses in Port Townsend. After nine years in Alaska, doing a power and telephone job that he did not love, Frank was granted his wish, after a fashion, when the former owner of Admiral Ship Supply recruited him to take over the store. “Now, I basically get to be the cage for all the businesses in the port,” Frank said. “It appeals to me OCD to be able to manage all those supplies, and to put stuff in order.”
Frank also appreciates being able to bear witness to the skills and craftsmanship of the boat workers whom he serves. “I’m not sure a lot of people realize how much of our economy is driven by what goes on in this port,” Frank said, recalling how much revenue was generated by a single fishing boat brought to the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op. “They must have bought close to $7,000 in supplies from us, with the co-op getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for
their work. That was maybe $300,000 that was spent in one month, just on this one boat.” Frank’s business tends to be seasonal, with a lull in customers that starts in October and runs through January. He’s already preparing for business to pick back up in February, especially since last year was an “off-year” in the two-year cycle of pink salmon harvests. “Commercial fishing is our bread and butter,” Frank said. “That’s how we make most of our money by far. Those boats need to be in Alaska by June, and at bare minimum, they need a shave and a haircut.” For boats, “a shave and a haircut” amounts to a new coat of paint for the bottom of the boat, plus and application of zinc or aluminum, to prevent the ship’s other metals from corroding due to electrolysis. “The least noble metals on a boat will corrode in water,” Frank said. “Because zinc and aluminum are less noble than any of the boat’s brass or bronze parts, they become sacrificial anodes.” On a smaller boat, a shave and a haircut runs a minimum of $1,000, although Frank noted that it can go as high
as $5,000 with larger tenders, that collect the hauls from other fishing boats. While last year’s pink salmon haul was down 10 percent in Frank’s estimation, he could still count on recreational boaters to float his business from May through September. While fishing boats rarely wait longer than two years to have a shave and a haircut, Frank has seen recreational boaters push it to three or more years with their yachts, although he deemed this counterproductive.
“When a boat comes in, it brings a whole history with it.” Bob Frank Admiral Ship Supply
“The paint that’s applied to boat bottoms is designed to be used,” Frank said. “It holds up better when the boat is constantly in motion. If you’re
Adam Genness, of Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op, and Admiral Ship Supply owner Bob Frank measure out lengths of hose. Photo by Kirk Boxleitner
8 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
just sitting in the marina, the water is going to be really rough on you.” Frank acknowledged that one of his biggest advantages is his location on Boat Street in the heart of the Port of Port Townsend Shipyard, next to businesses such as the shipwrights co-op and Craftsman United. “The internet can be a scary competitor, but that’s why you have to have all the parts people need on your shelves,” Frank said. “If you don’t have what a customer needs at that moment, they’re more likely to buy it online.” Frank and his staff strive to offer not only convenience, but insight into the merchandise. “We try to match our products and our people,” Frank said. “I’ve actually talked customers out of buying supplies that weren’t right for them. The most common mistake is that people want a magic bullet that will solve all their problems. My employees are opinionated, and if someone comes in with a harebrained idea, they’ll try and talk them out of it.” While much of Frank’s merchandise is no doubt familiar to customers of regular hardware stores – indeed, they sell “a lot of knives” to non-nautical customers such as Red Dog Farm – Admiral Ship Supply also sells bales of oakum, which are used to pack the joints of timbers in wooden vessels, and Irish felt, for bedding the ballast keel into place. “If you don’t understand the distinctions, you could do some damage to yourself,” said Frank, who warned prospective boat painters to pay attention to whether they’re buying topside or bottom-side paint. Frank can expound at length on when to use fiberglass or epoxy, but he also enjoys hearing from his customers, whose sea stories he’s come to treasure. “They love the sea and can be dynamic, talking about those times in World War II when they switched out bunks in their boats, and the next night, that side of the ship was bombed,” Frank said. “Or they’ll remember some of the crazy stuff they did fishing in Alaska in the ’70s. When a boat comes in, it brings a whole history with it. I’m lucky because the whole world comes to me.”
Jody Coman, amS®, SamS®
member of SoCiety of aCCredited marine SurveyorS® All pleasure and commercial fishing vessels 20 plus years of experience No travel charges anywhere in the NW JodyComan@gmail.com
360-457-5092 RE-POWER & REFIT
At Your Dock Services Haulout Services Factory Authorized Cummins, Westerbeke, Universal & Perkins. We Service, Repair & Install All Brands. On-Board Systems: Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, Steering, Running Gear
Ph. (360) 301-4871 or (360) 531-2270 GalmukoffMarine.com
SERVING ALL OF PUGET SOUND
IF WE CANNOT FIND A WAY, WE’LL MAKE ONE!
Quimper Merc Knows Work!
A Full Service Boatyard Specializing in Wooden Boat Repair and Restoration Engine Sales & Service P.O.Box 1430, Port Townsend, WA 98368 USA (360) 385-5727 www.havenboatworks.com
We Specialize in Marine Repair & Maintenance
Check Out Our Selection of Work Wear
– Serving Boaters since 2008 –
“From the Essentials to the Extraordinary.” www.QuimperMerc.com
BOTTOMS UP MARINE SERVICES INC. Located in the Port Townsend Boat Haven
360-301-5921
www.bottomsupmarineservices.com 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ the Port townsend & Jefferson County Leader 9
1121 Water Street 360-385-9595 OPEN EVERY DAY 9am-7pm Mon-Sat & 10am-6pm Sundays
Crew from the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op spent three months in Hawaii making sure the bottom half of the Admiral’s Barge matched the beauty of the top half. The special restoration was completed in time for the barge to serve at the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Photos courtesy Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op
PT skill rebuilds WWII history ✯ Admiral’s Barge restored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii Kirk Boxleitner kboxleitner@ptleader.com
As they start the new year, crew members at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op can look back on a year of accomplishments that included saving a living piece of American military history. Tim Lee has worked as a shipwright since 1989, but it was his 13 years as chief instructor at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock that generated referrals for the special job in Hawaii.
Lee and his partners at the co-op were able to put their skills to use in Oahu, after they were called to Hawaii last summer to repair the Admiral’s Barge for the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “The Admiral’s Barge has been in service since Eisenhower was president,” Lee said. “Since then, she’s taken just about every president and visiting dignitary on tours of Pearl Harbor, and out to the USS Arizona. She also carries the remains of sailors who survived the sinking back to the Arizona, to join their shipmates
at their final resting place.” The Navy wanted the boat refurbished in time for the 75th anniversary of Imperial Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor – Dec. 7, 1941. An initial inspection revealed its hull had been degraded by a one-two punch of internal electrolysis damage and sea organisms, such as angel wing clams and teredo (shipworms), that had bored into exterior plank seams over the decades since it was built. While the “bug” damage had happened in more recent years, the electrolytic action had occurred over a longer period. The boat was hauled out in Honolulu at Pacific Shipyards International, which specializes in steelwork. When it became clear that the wooden barge needed expert help, the shipyard owner began asking around. One of his first contacts was Dan Wiggins, owner of Craftsman United Inc., headquartered 100 feet from the shipwrights co-op in the Port Townsend Boat Haven. Wiggins was at the Hawaii yard working on an aluminum boat project – his firm’s speciality – and recommended the co-op. The same recommendation came from a marine surveyor who had moved from Port Townsend to Honolulu,
and from the boat school in Port Hadlock. Pacific Shipyards International then subcontracted with the co-op to handle the project’s wooden repairs. “The boat was leaking like a sieve by the time we saw it,” Lee said. “It was basically sinking, but if it’s your duty station for only three or four years, and you don’t know anything about
wooden boats, it’s easy to see how you wouldn’t notice. We grow accustomed to problems over time. Besides, the top half of the ship still looked fantastic.” Repairing the hull was no simple task, since the boat was double-planked, having an inner layer of western red cedar laid diagonally, and an outer layer of mahogany laid fore and aft, for a strong but light structure.
The exposed frame of the Admiral’s Barge. “We had welders working at the yard come over and look what we were up to, and they were blown away we could fix that boat,” said Tim Lee of the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op. “I told them it happens every day in Port Townsend.”
10 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
No matter what the purpose of your voyage may be, we have the supplies for you.
Paul Kirby works on a chine log of the Admiral’s Barge.
“Over time she had been overfastened, and the frames were split apart,” Lee said. “There was almost nothing left to attach the planking to. She had lost a lot of its shape under the waterline. It needed a new stem, a new keel and new floor timbers, which hold the two sides of the boat together.” Further complicating the rebuild was the nonnegotiable position of the engine itself. Lee credited Edensaw Woods in Port Townsend with supplying the timbers that could not be found in Oahu, and milling them to the exacting specifications required. The wood was shipped by air to Hawaii. “Before we realized that the boat needed a new backbone, we were projecting a two-month project,” Lee said. “We anticipated the backbone would add another six weeks, but in the end,
it was only another month.” A total of seven co-op members spent time in Hawaii. “We had welders working at the yard come over and look what we were up to, and they were blown away we could fix that boat,” Lee said. “I told them, it happens every day in Port Townsend.” The Admiral’s Barge was finished on schedule for the anniversary event. “Initially, we didn’t want to go into overtime, but toward the end, we were working nine- and 10-hour days, sometimes six days a week,” Lee said. “It’s hard to be away from home for that long, even in Hawaii, but our reward was how quickly everything came together, even when our materials were more remote.” (Staff writer Patrick J. Sullivan contributed to this story.)
Bremerton Henery Hardware 3449 Wheaton Way Bremerton WA 98310 360-824-5047
Kingston Henery Hardware 10978 Hwy 14, Suite 107 Kingston WA 98346 360-297-3366
Port Townsend Henery Hardware 218 Sims Way Port Townsend WA 98368 360-385-5900
MARINE • CUSTOM • PRODUCTION
Ulfar N. Andersen
360-379-1031 ulfar.njalsson@andersenmachineshop.com
Andersen Machine Shop, Inc.
2702 Washington Street, Port Townsend, WA 983368
2017 Working Waterfront ✪ the Port townsend & Jefferson County Leader 11
Quilcene Henery Hardware 294382 Hwy 101 Quilcene WA 98376 360-765-3113
Sebo’s Henery Hardware 1102 Commercial Ave, Anacortes WA 98221 360-283-4575
We Bring the “Working” to the Waterfront
The Port of Port Townsend is proud of the reputation it has earned over the years as being the premier Port for marine manufacturing, repair and restoration. Whether you are looking for superior craftsmanship from one of our 50 marine trades, or looking for a do-it-yourself yard that has it all, the staff at the Port of Port Townsend welcomes you.
Your Port Team
70, 75, & 330-ton lift capacity Easy access to over 100 vendors Year-round transient moorage & RV space
PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND | PO BOX 1180 | PORT TOWNSEND, WA 98368 | PORTOFPT.COM | 360.385.2355 12 2017 Working Waterfront ✪ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader