New Tour Boat for Argosy Cruises
All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), together with Argosy Cruises of Seattle, Wash., has signed a contract for the construction of a 125-foot aluminum monohull tour boat for operation in Puget Sound’s Elliott Bay. This project will mark the first keel laid at All American Marine’s new shipyard currently under construction in Squalicum Harbor at the north edge of Bellingham Bay. AAM will to open the new state-of-the-art 57,000-sq. ft. boat building facility in January 2017. The Port…
USCG Cutter in Oregon Spill Drill
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Fir, a 225-foot buoy tender homeported in Astoria, Oregon, participated in a Spilled Oil Response System exercise near Blake Island, Washington, Wednesday. The exercise was part of an annual response exercise and included members of the Coast Guard 13th District Response Advisor Team, Pacific Strike Team out of Novato, California, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Washington State Department of Ecology, Harley Marine Service Inc., Navy Region Northwest, Washington State Ferries, and the Marine Spill Response Corporation.
Arctic-bound Drill Rigs Shadowed by Greenpeace
The Greenpeace ship Esperanza, with a rainbow painted on its bow, was seen anchored off Manchester then conducted training exercises as its crew prepares to "shadow" two Shell oil rigs headed to Alaska, reports the 'Kitsap Sun'. Several South Kitsap residents reported seeing the 237-foot ship moored near Blake Island, and some people said they spotted what looked like a small submarine operating in the area. Joe Smyth, Greenpeace spokesman in Washington, D.C. confirmed that the ship is being prepared to travel to the Chukchi Sea, keeping a distance from the oil-drilling vessels Noble Discoverer, a drillship, and the Kulluk platform. Smyth said the goal is for the Esperanza to stay near the drill sites with science and activist observers on board.
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.
