June 21, 2005

Can't seem to find all the earlier pictures of this boat being constructed at the end of Main St. But you get the idea - it's coming along.

Oct. 12th, 2004

These pictures were taken through a lessening fog bank, but foggy, none the less.

This guy, standing on the deck, is directing the crane operater, who is lifting the boat's anchor.

As the crane slowly lifts the anchor, the boat crew lets out anchor chain.

Finally, the anchor comes into view, and is lifted onto the deck, to be swapped out.

This guy delivers Propane to the local islands. If winter is coming, and you live on a remote island (or even, not so remote) you might be really glad to see him. Most of the smaller islands (although inhabited) do not have what we might consider the 'everyday luxuries'.

This wee ferry carries the tanker to your island. I caught him switching out an empty tanker truck for a full one.

Oct. 5th, 2004

Now it's Happy Fall. Almost forgot about this page!
While riding down by the water and admiring the view in about 63 degree sunshine at 11:00 AM, we spotted this tug headed north up the straight. At first just a green spec in the distance, it was very soon upon us. We were watching a different Tug (The Hunter) preparing to cast off and the next thing we knew, here was the Foss. As fast as they seemed to be cruising, when they passed the Hunter they poured it on some more, as if making a statement. Although working regularly from southern CA to Alaska (according to a website I was sent to by D. Kerr - thanks!) this was the first Foss Tug I'd seen in these waters.

Lots of heat coming out the biggest smoke stack I've ever seen on a tug, as they pour on the coals and shoot by.

Here they are ripping past the Hunter, making ready to cast off.

The Captain watches fore and aft as two sailors work the lines. Once the rear was off, he nudged ahead to give the forward line some slack.

He backed out into the channel and headed north, in the wake of the Foss Tug.

A view through a ferry's gullet, thanks to D. Kerr.

May 30th, 2004

Happy Memorial Day to you hardcore boatblog types.

At last, an answer to the 'SKUM' Gun question! Two nice fellows aboard one of the Crowley tugs (most of which feature this SKUM device) were kind enough to explain what they are, and what they're for - namely - fighting fires in Alaska.
The guns are huge water cannons, fed by those eight inch pipes going up the side of the tug. Each cannon has it's own diesel motor to pump upwards of 47,000 gallons a minute out the nozzle. That kind of power can capsize smaller vessels, and knock over small houses. We're still trying to learn what the initials S.K.U.M. stand for? There are more SKUM pictures if you scroll down this page. . .

May 23rd, 2004

Waterfront Festival, in Anacortes. We locals didn't spend too much time on the waterfront, preferring to check out the many concession stands of all types. Also the Corvette show yesterday, and the Old Car show today.
We did check out the remote control boats, though. This guy was going so fast I thought I'd miss him!

This looks like a remote control boat - but it's real.

Or is it?

May 14th, 2004

Hmmm. Haven't added too much to THIS page.
A smaller vessel in the floating dry dock. Super structure repaint.

Here is another Crowley Tug, and a zoom to the guy in the wheelhouse, talking on his phone.


Most moves into the floating dry dock and the synchronized boat lifter are determined by tides, and are usually before six AM. This would explain why I miss them. . .

April 14, 2004

Haven't had a scooter to ride by the docks. Now, we do!
So. What exactly is a SKUM GUN?
Anybody?
Two large Crowley tugs are in town. The Protector, and the Response. Something is going to happen, tomorrow.
They are laying off, by the floating dry dock.

March 29, 2004

A very low tide. The tides here can range to thirteen feet. That means all the docks, in fact the whole marina, rises and falls with each tide. This dock, attached to the pilings by those large iron loops, is actually resting on the bottom. Those are crab traps, called 'pots' on the dock. We own a couple. Bait them with a piece of chicken, drop them into about thirty feet of water, pull them up after 30 minutes or an hour - voila! Fresh crab.

I've also seen the water at the top of these banks. I'm surprised that some of the larger vessels aren't resting in the mud. Maybe they are? The under sides of all the docks are filled with industrial strength Styrofoam, to make them float. The tops (walkways) are often concrete. Seems funny to see floating cement.

Just noticed that my crabbing license expires this month. 12 dollars for six months. You must have this around your neck when you are near your crab pots. It can be spotted from afar with binoculars, I guess. I've forgotten it on several occasions, and worried the whole time I was checking the pots.

Another tug in the Dakota shipyards, at the end of town. About 17 blocks away.

Must've run aground?

Mar first, 2004
Crowley Tug in dry dock at the end of Commercial.

The Guemes ferry - a seven minute ride.

Smaller (but larger than the Guemes) Ferry in dry dock.

same ferry - Rhododendron

this is a 'stitch'

Couldn't find a name on this boat?
The 'Chelan' Ferry was gone, today.
Close up of the Bridge -

This is what's known as 'Good luck Naming'. It's a fishing boat, you see. . .

Rat's eye view