Camano Island News

The first arc welds on the keel of Washington’s new 144-car ferry will be made later this month by the leaders of the state Legislature transportation committees, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island and Rep. Judy Clibborn of Mercer Island. The two legislators will join Washington State Ferries officials and ship workers at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29, to commemorate the moment when the vessel’s keel is laid in place at Vigor Industrial’s Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle. Keel laying, the maritime equivalent of placing a cornerstone, is a traditional milestone in ship building.

The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) has elected its 2011-2012 officers and board members. One new officer and three new board members are joining the association's leadership group. Chris Kelly of Waters & David Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, is now president. Kathy Munzinger of Munzinger & Co., Springfield, Missouri, has been elected vice president and Ken Smaga of ComMar Sales LLC, Land O' Lakes, Florida, is now treasurer. Brandon Flack of Atlantic Marketing Co., Stonington, Connecticut, joins the officers as NMRA's new secretary.

Bullfrog Boats delivered a 17-ft. rescue boat to Camano Island Fire and Rescue. Craig Henderson, owner of Bullfrog Boats said, “The people at Camano Island Fire and Rescue were great to work with in developing this mission-specific rescue boat. Darin Reid, Assistant Fire Chief for Camano Island Fire and Rescue, added, “We are very pleased with the way the boat operates and with the quality of the boat. We got a lot more boat than we expected.” Camano Island Fire and Rescue is the primary water rescue agency for the Puget Sound in the area around Camano Island. “This mission-specific rescue boat is the first of its type for Bullfrog Boats and the first of a new product line for the six-year-old company,” said Henderson.