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King County News

03 Nov 2023

Breakaway Barge Retrieved After Striking Pier in Seattle

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A fully loaded container barge that broke loose and struck a pier in downtown Seattle has been towed to safety.The U.S. Coast Guard said it was notified at 1:25 p.m. on Thursday that the barge had broken loose from Terminal 18 and went adrift in Elliot Bay.The barge, owned by Lyden's Alaska Marine Lines, was drifting toward the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium when it was intercepted by a King County Water Taxi vessel, Doc Maynard, which used its bow to push the barge north in an attempt to prevent an allision.The barge eventually struck Pier 66, causing landside damage.

16 Oct 2023

Insights: Blaine Dempke, CEO, Markey

Blaine Dempke, CEO, Markey (Photo: Markey)

Established in 1907 as the Industrial Revolution arrived to Seattle, Markey is the oldest privately-held winch manufacturer in the United States today. The company was formed in the Georgetown District of what later became known as King County, Wash. The Markey sign above its original manufacturing plant, on Horton Street, is still retained, although Markey has since moved to its current facility on 8th Avenue South.Markey was a major supplier to the U.S. Navy in both world wars…

28 Jul 2022

Ferry Damaged After 'Hard Landing' in Seattle

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Washington State Ferries said one of its vessels suffered "significant damage" as the result of a "hard landing" at the Fauntleroy terminal in Seattle on Thursday.The Cathlamet, which was traveling from Vashon Island to West Seattle during a 7:55 a.m. sailing, reportedly struck an offshore dolphin (pilings, not the aquatic mammal) before alliding with the dock.Photos shared to social media show considerable damage to Cathlamet's port bow above the waterline. No injuries or pollution were reported, though several cars on board the ferry have been damaged.

30 Jul 2021

Metal Shark Delivers Next-gen Fireboat to Orange Beach Fire Rescue

Credit: Metal Shark

Shipbuilder Metal Shark has introduced the 38 Defiant NXT, described as a next-generation welded aluminum monohull pilothouse model based on the company’s 38 Defiant platform. The first new vessel, “Fire Boat 2,” has been delivered to Orange Beach Fire Rescue in Alabama.Since 2011, Metal Shark has delivered over 100 legacy model 38 Defiant vessels, in a wide range of configurations to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, the US Coast Guard and Navy, and multiple foreign…

11 Mar 2020

Seattle Cancels Two Cruise Calls Amid Coronavirs Outbreak

© JW_PNW / Adobe Stock

The Port of Seattle announced Wednesday that it has canceled two cruise ship calls to help curb the spread of the novel coronoavirus.“This region is in a public health emergency and we will cancel the first two sailings of our cruise season,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck. “The health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority.”The canceled one-day stops by Grand Princess and Celebrity Eclipse on April 1 and 5 respectively were to…

18 Apr 2019

Seattle Port Celebrates 20th Year of Cruising

The Port of Seattle, celebrating 20 years as a homeport, welcomes the 2019 cruise season with the arrival of the first ship—Celebrity Eclipse, at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.“Over twenty years ago this community turned a novel idea into a nearly $900 million industry and helped the Port become the most environmentally progressive home port in North America,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Stephanie Bowman.“Today that economic opportunity reaches all the way from Eastern Washington farms and ranches that provide food for cruise customers, to King County attractions that depend upon summer season travelers to support year-round activities.

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…

06 Feb 2017

Ferry Tales: Having a Ferry Good Time

At the most basic level, all new construction projects should offer an improved customer experience. While there are many challenges for designers and builders, complying with the latest ADA accessibility guidelines is a given. Likewise, customers have an elevated level of expectation for improved technology to augment their ride. WiFi, power ports, automated ticketing or counting systems, and onboard information displays are all fast becoming necessities, rather than amenities. (Courtesy: Vigor

Despite of some of the lowest fuel prices experienced in the last eight years, demand for ferry construction is at a seemingly all time high. The focus on building new ferries kicked off in early 2013 and the sustained interest is the continued result of an unleashing of pent up demand. Fleets have been aging and infrastructure needs to be built up in order to accommodate the future demand for commuter ferry travel once fuel prices return to and surpass their once familiar norms.

25 Jan 2017

Vancouver Port Hires Marle as Permanent CEO

The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners today voted 2-1 to hire interim CEO Julianna Marler as the port’s permanent CEO/Executive Director. Marler, who was appointed interim CEO by the board in May 2016, was one of three finalists for the position. The other two were Edward Galligan, current Executive Director of the Port of Olympia, and Arthur Scheunemann, former President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County. “We had three highly qualified candidates, and that made this a hard decision,” said commission President Brian Wolfe. “This was a rigorous process,” said commission Vice President Eric LaBrant. “Julianna was stacked up against the best of the industry and she’s the most qualified candidate.

13 Jan 2016

Port of Seattle Welcomes New Commissioner

The Port of Seattle welcomed its newest commissioner, Fred Felleman, as he took the oath of office along with reelected Commissioner Courtney Gregoire at Tuesday’s  Commission meeting. The commission officers for 2016 were also announced. Commissioner John Creighton will serve as Commission President while Commissioner Tom Albro will serve as Commission Vice President, Commissioner Stephanie Bowman will serve as Commission Secretary, Commissioner Courtney Gregoire will serve as Assistant Secretary, and Commissioner Felleman will be Commissioner-at-Large. “The Port of Seattle starts 2016 focused on growing the middle-class jobs that ports bring to the region,” Creighton said.

03 Aug 2015

Injured Woman Rescued on Lake Washington

Coast Guard, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, King County Sheriff’s Office and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel rescued a woman after she sustained a leg injury after reportedly being struck by a boat propeller on Lake Washington, Sunday afternoon. Seattle Fire Department personnel aboard a Seattle Police Department boat safely transported the 19-year-old woman to waiting EMS who took her to Harborview Medical Center. "Due to the excellent working relationships the Coast Guard has with our partner agencies in the Seattle area, we executed the rescue using great teamwork and it was without hesitation," said Chief Petty Officer Jeff Wildes from Coast Guard Station Seattle.

13 Jul 2015

Seattle, Tacoma Ports Welcome State Transport Investment

Photo: Port of Tacoma

Washington State Legislature’s passed a $16.2 billion transportation investment package that ports of Tacoma and Seattle say will benefit the state’s economy by speeding the movement of cargo through the ports and freight corridors. The ports, business and community leaders have been advocating for funding to complete the key freight routes of State Route 509 in King County and State Route 167 in Pierce County, which are supported in the package. “The transportation system outside our terminal gates is critical to maintaining our competitive edge…

22 Jun 2015

Kvichak to Build 48 ft. Foil Research Cat

Photo: Kvichak Marine

Kvichak Marine Industries, a Vigor Company, was recently awarded a contract to design and build a 48’ all-aluminum foil assisted research catamaran for the King County Environmental Laboratory. The vessel will operate in Puget Sound, the Straits of Juan de Fuca and adjoining inland waterways. The vessel will be conducting water sampling research along with marine buoy calibration, maintenance and retrieval, tours and shoreline surveys, dive and ROV operations. This will be the thirteenth foil assisted catamaran Kvichak has built since 2000.

16 Jun 2015

Shell Arctic Rig Protesters Detained and Released

USCG photo by Katelyn Shearer

U.S. The 24 people who violated the 500-yard safety zone established around the Shell Arctic drilling rig Polar Pioneer were detained by USCG and partner agency law enforcement personnel Monday morning. The individuals were transported to Coast Guard Base Seattle at Pier 36, issued notices of violation that include a $500 fine and released with their equipment. "The Coast Guard and our agency partners are committed to maintaining the integrity of navigable waterways and protecting the safety of the maritime public," said Capt.

31 Mar 2015

All American Marine Delivers Ferry to Seattle

   The maiden voyage of the MV Sally Fox (photo courtesy of All American Marine)

All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) today announced the delivery of a new passenger ferry that will serve the city of Seattle. The vessel, MV Sally Fox, was dedicated at a ceremony on Vashon Island on Saturday. The Sally Fox is the first of two new ferries ordered by King County’s Marine Division as replacement vessels for their scheduled water taxi service. All American Marine was awarded the contract and issued the Notice to Proceed for the identical vessels at the start of 2014. Sally Fox is the first U.S.

02 Mar 2015

Green Groups Sue Port of Seattle

A coalition of environmental groups has sued the Port of Seattle over a leasing agreement to host Shell Oil’s Arctic drilling fleet, claiming the deal was negotiated in secret and may pollute the port. They argued that the port needed to allow more public involvement and violated two state laws. The Port of Seattle earlier this month signed a two-year lease for 50 acres across from downtown Seattle to Foss Maritime, the company that will manage Shell’s drilling fleet here in Seattle at Terminal 5. That terminal has been empty since last summer because the port is planning to overhaul it to allow bigger cargo ships. So this is a temporary use to generate about $13 million. The groups allege that the port violated state environmental laws when it did not do a review.

09 Jan 2015

Ferry Fixation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

King County Water Taxi

It all adds up to the global effort to strengthen bottom lines, safety margins and the collective environmental footprint. The future for ferries seems to be on fire; both in good ways and bad. The good is always a good place to start. And, that’s because it is ferry fabrication time. The most notable ferry routes in America are jumping into the construction queue for new vessels and soon the next generation of ferry vessels will be hitting the piers (not literally of course).

21 Aug 2014

Video: On-water Helicopter Rescue Demo

A King County Sheriff's Helicopter performed a rescue demonstration using a new rescue platform before a group of attendees at this year's Maritime Security West Conference in Tacoma, Wash. on August 18, 2014. The Seattle Fire Department, with the support of King County Sheriff's Office and Tacoma Fire Dept., conducted an on-water rescue demonstration using the AirTEP (airborne tactical extrication platform) system from the King County Sheriff's Office rescue helicopter. Watch the video here. There are only six known agencies in the U.S. that own the AirTEP system, and the Seattle Fire Dept. is one of the few that has it in use for on-water rescue.

28 Sep 2010

Water Taxi Allision at Seattle’s Pier 50

U.S Coast Guard and multiple Seattle-area rescue agencies responded to a water taxi allision in Seattle at Pier 50 on Sept. 26. The King County water taxi Rachel Marie allided with the pier at approximately 11:30 a.m. with 78 passengers and crew onboard. Two 41-ft utility boat crews from Coast Guard Station Seattle, along with the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Police Harbor Patrol crews responded to the scene and are transporting the passengers and crew off the vessel. One person fell into the water and was immediately recovered.  The remaining 77 people were removed from the vessel.  Approximately five people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the allision is unknown.  Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is investigating the accident.

24 Apr 2013

U.S. Fab Deliver Unique Maintenance and Mooring Barge

Barge for King's County: Photo credit Vigor

U.S. Fab, a Vigor Industrial company, has delivered the purpose-built vessel to Washington’s King County for the use of its passenger ferry fleet. The 140’x40’x7’6” barge features moorage for up to four vessels and two steel structures, one that houses a well-equipped maintenance workshop and the other a two-story office and crew quarters. “This was an interesting project that required teams to integrate two different building classification standards while maintaining optimal cost efficiencies,” explained Bryan Nichols, Sales and Marketing Manager for Vigor Industrial.

20 Aug 2014

Maritime Security West Conference Underway in Tacoma

Tacoma Fire Department’s MetalCraft fireboat was on display at the 2014 Maritime Security West conference, now underway in Tacoma. (Photo by E. H. Lundquist)

The 2014 Maritime Security West conference is underway in Tacoma, Washington. The preconference day included tours of the Port of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma’s Marine Security Operations Center and the opportunity to view and ride a large number of tactical craft belonging to local police, sheriff fire and rescue departments at the Foss Waterway Seaport moorage. King County Sheriff’s Department gave a flying demonstration of the airborne tactical extraction platform (AirTEP). SeaBotix provided a demonstration of a remotely operated underwater vehicle.

26 Mar 2012

U.S. Senators Urge Support for Small Port Dredging

Senator Cantwell meeting with U.S. Coast Guard personnel on Washington waterfront (photo: Senator Cantwell's WEB site)

Cantwell, Senators Urge Support for Dredging of Small Ports, Including Swinomish Channel, Port of Ilwaco. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has joined a group of Senators in urging key appropriators to include funding for dredging small and low-use ports in the fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget. Small and low-use ports are ports that don’t have enough tonnage to meet the Army Corps of Engineers’ threshold to qualify for annual dredging support but represent important economic engines of the communities they serve.

27 Dec 2013

All American Marine to Build Two Seattle Catamaran Ferries

Water Taxi rendering courtesy of King County Ferry District

The King County Ferry District, whose ferries link the communities that ring Lake Washington and Puget Sound, has contracted with Bellingham-based All American Marine to design and build two new 'water taxis' to replace its pair of 25 year-old leased vessels. The operators explain that the new vessels will each carry 250 passengers, 78 more than the vessels they will replace. That added capacity means more passengers will be able to use the water taxis during the busiest weekday commute periods.