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Snohomish News

25 Mar 2024

Fincantieri to Open Support Facility in Everett

A rendering of the first Constellation-class frigate to be constructed by Fincantieri Marinette Marine (Image courtesy of Fincantieri Marine Group)

This spring, Fincantieri Marine Repair (FMR) is expanding its presence to the Port of Everett with a new facility to support U.S. Navy assets.On March 12, the Port of Everett Commission unanimously approved a new one-year lease to establish an FMR office at the Port’s Marina Village at Waterfront Place.The U.S. Navy plans to homeport up to 12 new Constellation-class guided-missile frigates at Naval Station Everett, adjacent to the Port of Everett’s international Seaport. The FMR…

20 Apr 2021

Brix Marine Delivers Hat Island Ferry

(Photo: Brix Marine)

Aluminum boatbuilder Brix Marine said it has delivered the 45’ by 18’4” passenger ferry Hat Island Ferry, which recently entered service for the community of Hat Island, Wash.A small, private island community in Snohomish County, Wash., Hat Island is nestled in Possession Sound between Everett, Whidbey, and Camano Islands and operates a weekly ferry schedule to and from the Port of Everett. Its residents' requirements are reflected in the ferry design which received widespread community approval…

04 Nov 2018

Port of Everett Becomes First Port to Receive Federal Rail Loan

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau will provide up to a $5.95 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan to the Port of Everett in the State of Washington. The Port of Everett is the first Port to make it through the complex loan process.“I’ve been proud to work with the Port of Everett to secure federal investments to ensure the Port continues to meet the demands of the 21st century economy, and I’m thrilled to see the federal government bring even more resources to the table. This investment will help complete vital modernization projects and support an important economic hub in Washington state,” said U.S.

21 Apr 2017

Washington Maritime Economy Grows Stronger -Study

© Bill Perry / Adobe Stock

A new report from the Washington Maritime Federation shows strong health of industry, increased average salaries and tremendous opportunity to continue to grow maritime jobs. The Washington State Maritime Sector Economic Impact Study 2017 Update, released at the April 2017 Propeller Club luncheon, updates the seminal 2013 study of the same name and provides a detailed analysis of the positive economic impact of the state’s maritime industry. “This study builds upon past efforts and clearly shows the maritime industry is a cornerstone of the State’s economy…

25 Dec 2015

Two Rescued from Stranded Vessel near Everett

Coast Guard personnel rescued two fishermen from a 28-foot recreational vessel when it became stranded with a disabled engine and grounded due to shoal water near Everett Wednesday night. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles hoisted the men and transported them safely to Paine Field in Snohomish County. Dispatchers from 911 transferred a call for help to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at 1:25 p.m. Sector watchstanders issued a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast and contacted other local agencies to tow the vessel, but none were able to respond due to shallow water. The aircrew launched in response and arrived on scene at 8:10 p.m.

04 May 2014

WSDOT Applies For Six TIGER Grants To Improve Statewide Mobility

Washington’s citizens could see mobility improvements in highways, ferries and freight rail if the state’s three capital grant applications are selected to receive a portion of the $600 million available nationwide in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) also submitted three applications this week for planning proposals that support economic development, environmental resiliency and integrated transportation choices. Of the $600 million available in TIGER grant funds, $35 million is dedicated to transportation-facilities planning. Improve intersections adjacent to Interstate 82 in Benton County. Replace the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal in Snohomish County.

08 Apr 2014

EBDG Engineer among Missing in Mudslide

Steve Harris (Photo: EBDG)

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) said in announcement today that engineer Steve Harris is among those missing in the recent Oso disaster. Although he has not yet been found, the level of devastation wrought by the mudslide in Snohomish County makes it unlikely that authorities will locate survivors. Steve's wife Theresa was also among the missing. “Our hearts go out to Steve's loved ones as well as those of the other Oso victims during this time of uncertainty,” the EBDG statement said.

09 May 2013

Washington Coast Guard Crew Deploys to South Korea

A boat crew from U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 313, from Everett, Wash., conducts a security patrol in a 4th generation, 32-foot transportable security boat (TSB) off the coast of Dogu beach in support of exercise Foal Eagle, April 21, 2013. This is the first time since 2006 that a Coast Guard PSU has participated in Korean Theater of Operations (KTO). (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Etta Smith/Released)

Through chilling winds and choppy seas, five-man crews aboard small, gray security boats worked tirelessly for 10 days patrolling the waters around a massive 348-foot petroleum vessel near the coast of Pohang, South Korea. Boat crews from Port Security Unit (PSU) 313 worked night and day to enforce a safety zone around U.S. Naval Ship Vice Adm. K.R. Wheeler and an eight-mile submerged pipeline that extended from the ship to the shores of Dogu Beach. During Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Exercise (CJLOTS)…

17 May 2011

New Golden Gate Ferry Enters Service on Larkspur

The first of two vessels purchased by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (GGBHTD) from Washington State Ferry in January 2009 has been completely refurbished and is entering service today, May 16, on the Larkspur-San Francisco Route. The two Washington State Ferry vessels, now named the M.V. Golden Gate (formerly the Chinook) and the M.V. Napa (formerly the Snohomish) were purchased for $2 million each and have a refurbishment budget of approximately $10 million each. The $24 million project is being funded through a combination of federal, state and GGBHTD funds. For perspective, the cost of just one new high-speed catamaran vessel is currently about $20 million. In 2009, the M.V.

07 May 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – May 7

1969: HC-130H CGNR 1453, stationed at Air Station Kodiak, flew over the geographic North Pole, becoming the first Coast Guard aircraft to do so. The aircraft commander was LCDR Melvin J. Hartman and the copilot was LT Larry Minor. The purpose of the flight was ice reconnaissance of a potential route for super tankers from the North Slope of Alaska to the east coast of the U.S. According to a summary of the flight published in the Commandant's Bulletin: "COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT FLIES AROUND THE WORLD NONSTOP. 1979-During a city-wide strike by tugboat operators and longshoremen in New York City that began on 1 April 1979, Mayor Ed Koch of New York asked for federal assistance.

14 Apr 2009

$30m for Washington State Port Security

April 8, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that Washington state ports will receive $30.3m for port security efforts across the state this year. The funds, which will now begin to be distributed to state ports, will go toward infrastructure security improvements including chemical detectors, cameras, security gates, access controls, and training and exercises. “As we work to stabilize our economy and spur investment in Washington state, it is critically important that our ports remain secure and open for business,” Senator Murray said. The funding for these grants was included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Port Security Grant Program.

26 Jan 2009

WSDOT Sells 2 Passenger Ferries

On Friday, Jan. 16, the Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) closed the sale of the passenger-only fast ferries Chinook and Snohomish to the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District of Larkspur, California. The total sale price for the two vessels was $4m. In 2006, the Washington State Legislature voted to end state funding for passenger-only ferries. In 2007 the Legislature directed WSF to conduct the sale process of the Chinook and Snohomish and deposit the sale proceeds into a passenger ferry account. The proceeds from the sale will be used to help fund county-run passenger-only ferry service. The Chinook and Snohomish were built in the late 1990’s and provided passenger-only service between Seattle and Bremerton from 1998 to 2003.

13 Feb 2008

Snohomish Resumes Service

The 149-passenger Snohomish was back in service with a 9 a.m. departure from the Bremerton Ferry Terminal, following a hard landing last night and an unrelated back-up generator malfunction this morning. Both Washington State Ferries (WSF) and the U.S. Coast Guard are conducting separate investigations into the incident that took place a little after 5 p.m. Feb. 11. The initial report is that there was construction equipment in the way as the Snohomish attempted to land at the Bremerton Terminal. The vessel, which was carrying approximately 141 passengers plus crew, tried to maneuver around the equipment and landed hard at the terminal. Some minor injuries to five passengers were reported. There was no damage to the vessel or terminal.

27 Dec 2007

Citizens Lobby to Keep Ferry

A campaign is being mounted to retain passenger-only ferry service between Port Townsend and Seattle, according to an AP report. Ridership has reportedly grown daily since the route was instituted after the state's only vehicle-and-passenger vessels that could operate on the Port Townsend-Keystone run were pulled from service last month for safety reasons. The fast ferry Snohomish, which makes four round trips a day, could carry 350 passengers but it is limited to 149 without the preparation of a safety and security plan.

28 Jul 1999

Pieces are Coming Together on New Snohomish

"It's starting to really look like a boat now," said Frank Jackson, the senior inspector on the Snohomish project. The passenger-only ferry is being built at Dakota Creek Shipyard in Anacortes. All the units that were built separately - the hull, the main deck and the pilothouse module - have been assembled. A milestone coming up this month is the loading of the main engines into the new ferry. Workers will also start on modifying Snohomish's bow to enable it to dock at car ferry slips. That feature will give it a slightly different look from its sister ferry, Chinook, which is now in service between Seattle and Bremerton.

14 Apr 2005

Foss Spill Costs $5M

Foss Maritime Co., which was responsible for a December 2003 oil spill that fouled shorelines in Snohomish and Kitsap counties, will pay nearly $577,000 in state penalties, Jay Manning, director of the Department of Ecology (Ecology), announced. "This spill was miniscule compared to the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska and the cleanup effort was aggressive, but the effects were still serious," Manning said. A Foss barge spilled approximately 4,700 gallons of heavy fuel oil while being filled at the ChevronTexaco terminal at Point Wells in Snohomish County just after midnight on Dec. 30, 2003. Oil washed onto shore at the terminal and drifted across Puget Sound to coat beaches and the Doe-kag-wats marsh on the northern shore of Port Madison.

08 Nov 2007

Governor Announces First Innovation Partnership Zones

Governor Chris Gregoire announced the designation of 11 Innovation Partnership Zones in Washington, geographic areas that will promote and develop the state’s regional economies. Innovation Partnership Zones build on the success around the world of “research parks,” such as the Research Triangle in North Carolina and Torrey Pines in California and bring together research and higher education opportunities, innovation and economic activity to be a strong engine for regional economies. “Washington is home to some of the greatest innovations in the world and I am excited to support the continued success of our state’s world-class companies,” said Governor Gregoire.

28 Feb 2007

Foss Maritime to pay $1.1m for Oil Damage

Foss Maritime Co. will pay the Suquamish Tribe $1.1 million for environmental and spiritual damage caused by a 2003 oil spill near Edmonds, Snohomish County, reported by the AP. Nearly 4,700 gallons of heavy oil polluted a section of the tribe’s shellfish beds at Indianola when a Foss barge was overfilled at a fueling station at Point Wells on Dec. 30, 2003. The tribe announced that it had reached a settlement with Foss on Feb. 9. It plans to use the money to help build a $20m cultural and economic revitalization project on the reservation. Foss, which took responsibility for the accident, previously paid the tribe $126,000, plus $265,000 to a federal fund for environmental cleanup projects. Source: AP

13 Dec 2002

Training to Test Response to Ferry Hijacking

On December 16th, the U.S. Coast Guard, Washington State Patrol, and Washington State Ferries will be conducting a joint agency training exercise in Yukon Harbor, southwest of Blake Island. The drill scenario incorporates a multi-agency response to a simulated ferry hijacking. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams from the Seattle Police Department, Kitsap County Sheriff’s office, and the Washington State Patrol along with the Washington State Ferries, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Bainbridge Island Fire and Police Departments, and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife will use the opportunity to implement contingency plans and strengthen interagency relationships developed since September 11th.

17 Aug 1999

Are Fast Ferries Too Fast?

British Columbia's fast ferries may be too fast for their own good, according to CANOE columnist Jim Hume. The British Columbia Ferry Corporation first sailed The Explorer on June 17, 1999, with regular service from Vancouver Island (Nanaimo) to Mainland (Horseshoe Bay) starting July 1. While the fast-cats can operate faster than traditional ferries, they are currently only shaving off 14 minutes of their scheduled run, not the 25 minutes promised. It turns out when the fast boat operates at top speeds in the confined waters of its scheduled route, it raises six-ft. waves along the shore. Additionally, high-speed fast ferry Snohomish, built by Dakota Creek Industries, Inc.

17 Aug 1999

New Budget Focus: Safety, Passenger Ferries

The two-year budget for the Washington State Ferries system approved in the spring by the state Legislature will create a modern fleet of passenger-only ferries and terminals to help move more people across Puget Sound. But the new spending plan also represents a significant investment in two other key areas: renovating older terminals and expanding safety programs throughout the fleet. The budget is broken down into two areas: the $303 million operating budget, which covers the day-to-day operations at WSF, and the $287 million capital budget, which addresses construction needs. In the capital budget, $116 million came from voter-approved Referendum 49 funds.

27 Aug 1999

F/V Pinnacle Delivered by Tri-Star Marine

Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc. (JMC), recently completed the design for new 140 x 38 ft. F/V Pinnacle. The Seattle naval architecture firm designed the new vessel for Walt Casto of Snohomish, Wash. Tri-Star Marine, Seattle, delivered the vessel to the owner in February 1999. In late 1997, Walt Casto met with HMC to discuss the prospects of building a new vessel. The original Pinnacle, built at Homeport Marine Services, Moss Point, Miss. in 1991, was to be sold to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a fisheries patrol vessel. Casto wanted to replace the existing vessel with a JMC design of similar capacity and length. A previous 114 ft. JMC design was used as a basis and significantly expanded and modified to fit the design parameters.

18 Aug 1999

Move Over, Chinook! Snohomish Launched

Washington State Ferries' new passenger-only ferry Snohomish, sister ship of Chinook, was launched July 12, at Dakota Creek Shipyard in Anacortes. Crews installed the ferry's propulsion systems, including the main engines and the water jets, and electrical systems throughout the vessel. Also, the exterior of the new ferry has been painted and much of the interior ceilings and walls are finished. After launching, Dakota technicians made the final machinery alignments while continuing to work on the final outfitting in the interior. The delivery date to Washington State Ferries is scheduled for August 21. After shakedown cruises and crew training, Snohomish will join Chinook in service on Puget Sound.