THE CHATTER ALONG the Port Angeles waterfront this week continues to revolve around the Polar Pioneer drilling rig.
Visually, all that seems to have changed from last week is that there is an offshore supply vessel, Harvey Champion, that appears to be attending the rig.
During the normal course of business when the rig is on station and drilling for oil, this vessel would be used to transport stores, supplies and equipment to it.
Additionally below her decks, the 292-foot vessel has the storage/transporting capacity for 636,976 gallons of drill water; 19,500 barrels of liquid mud; 14,350 cubic feet of bulk mud; 1,700 barrels of methanol; and 17,191 gallons of potable water.
My wife, Mardi, told me that when her friend’s 4-year-old great-granddaughter, Lilli Donisi, was out on Ediz Hook with her grandfather and saw the Polar Pioneer, she exclaimed: “Grandpa! A floating palace!”
Port of Port Angeles
Last Saturday (Halloween), Oriental Spirit, a 459-foot bulk cargo ship moored to the Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal 3.
I understand the Hong Kong flagged vessel was having problems with her engine, which were resolved by the manufacturer of the engine sending personnel to Port Angeles to deal with the issue.
On Wednesday afternoon, Oriental Spirit eased off the dock and anchored midharbor to make room for Astoria Bay, a 610-foot bulk cargo ship that is taking on a load of logs bound for China that were harvested off Merrill & Ring’s private land holdings in Western Washington.
Platypus affairs
Earlier last week, Platypus Marine, the full-service shipyard, yacht-repair facility and steel-boat manufacturer on Marine Drive in Port Angeles, hauled Silverado out of the water.
The 120-foot vessel was built in 1974 by Willard Boat Works of Costa Mesa, Calif., for Harry See of the See’s Candies Inc. family.
At the time, she was the largest fiberglass yacht ever built.
I understand this classic masterpiece will be at their facility until mid-December undergoing her five-year scheduled maintenance program .
Platypus also hauled out Terrapin, an 87-foot Coast Guard cutter that is based in Bellingham.
This cutter will be out of service for about six weeks, during which time Platypus’ skilled personnel will perform maintenance on the props and shafts as well as sandblast, prime and paint the vessel.
Additionally, the fuel tanks and gray-water tanks will be emptied, cleaned and inspected; their respective lines will be power-flushed and replaced as necessary; and any related valves will be checked and replaced as needed.
Upcoming expo
On Nov. 18-20, the Pacific Marine Expo will be held at the CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle.
Platypus Marine, Armstrong Marine and Lee Shore Boats will be in attendance promoting their products and services to commercial boaters who come from Alaska to California to see what the 450 exhibitors have to offer.
Lee Shore builds
I stopped out at Lee Shore Boats and chatted with the company president, Eric Schneider.
They are currently building a 31-foot patrol boat for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The rib-style patrol boat will be powered by twin 300-horsepower Suzuki outboard motors.
Boating skills clinic
The North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron is offering a free boating skills clinic in anchoring this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
This clinic has been designed to equip boaters in understanding the issues and problems involving anchor weight, methods used to anchor and choices of anchor types for this boating area.
The knowledge gained from this seminar will increase understanding of the conditions and situations involved in anchoring a boat and the need for a proper anchor choice.
For more information on this event or other classes offered by the North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron, contact Ray Thomas at 360-683-8801 or visit www.northolympicboaters.com.
Harbor happenings
On Wednesday, Tesoro provided bunkers to Oriental Spirit, which is now underway to Nantong, China.
_________
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.
