CHRISTMAS IS NOT too far away, not that many of us need reminding, although finding the perfect gift for someone who enjoys all that the ocean has to offer can be elusive.
I recently came across a couple of items that would be welcomed by their recipient.
The Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend is organizing a sailing outing in Croatia that sounds appealing. If you are a qualified captain (have a captain license or a bareboat cruising certificate, or want to get one by September), you can sign up for a bareboat.
Email barb@nwmaritime.org for information on how to get bareboat cruising certified.
If you prefer to travel with a Northwest Maritime Center captain, you have the confidence of the captain making sure your trip goes smoothly from start to finish. Plus, you have the added bonus of learning to sail in Croatia.
For further information, call Barb at 360-385-3628 extension 106 or email barb@nwmaritime.org.
Boat US has a couple of products that are ideal for recreational boaters, including a BoatUS Unlimited Towing Membership with towing service provided by TowBoatUS.
For saltwater boaters, an annual membership is just $149 per year. It provides 24/7 dispatch assistance and your boater will never have to pay out-of-pocket for a tow back to the dock or for a soft un-grounding (the nationwide average cost for on water towing service is $785 for non-BoatUS members).
Included with an Unlimited Towing Membership is a subscription to the award-winning BoatUS Magazine; exclusive fuel, transient slip and repair discounts; and the opportunity to earn rewards on boating gear at West Marine stores.
How about this for a stocking stuffer which offers big benefits to a trailer boater: Consider gifting a BoatUS Membership with Unlimited Trailer Assist for $38 that takes care of roadside breakdowns 24/7.
In addition, 100 miles of free on-road towing for both a disabled trailer and its tow vehicle to a safe location, lockout, flat tire, battery jump and fuel drop-off services are also included.
Either of these gifts can be found at BoatUS.com/Gifts or by calling 800-395-2628.
In the harbor
Angelic Zephyr, the Panamanian flagged cargo ship that moored to the Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal 3 last week, left port on Friday afternoon laden with a little more than 5 million board feet of debarked logs for China.
A few hours later under cover of darkness, Astoria Bay moored to Terminal 3.
On Saturday, longshoremen will begin loading her with logs for China.
Platypus Marine, the full service ship yard, steel boat builder and yacht repair facility on Marine Drive in Port Angeles hauled out Alaskan Granduer this week.
She is a 72-foot yacht that is going to have her stern extended by 5 ½ feet and a new hardtop installed.
Once these classy modifications are completed the vessel will be repainted.
Platypus also has Pacific Sea sitting on the hard.
She is a 58-foot Delta that hails from Rangel, Alaska.
Personnel are installing a stainless steel railing around the bow. She will be repainted.
Wednesday, Tesoro Petroleum provided bunkers to W.C. Park Responder, the blue 209-foot oil spill response vessel operated by Marine Spill Response Corporation that is moored to the Port of Port Angeles’ terminal one south.
Thursday, Tesoro bunkered Kyra Panaghia, a 656-foot Liberian-flagged bulk cargo ship.
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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.