DECEMBERdecember 2013 2006 / / volume volume 25 19 issue issue 6 4 Robert Tandecki HAPPY HOLIDAYS “Fuel Supply, Alaska,” a watercolor by Robert Tandecki of Sumner, Wash., was selected for the 2013 Foss Maritime holiday card and for the cover of this, the holiday issue of Tow Bitts. The painting was one of 33 submitted by 27 artists in the annual Foss calendar art and holiday card competition. Reproductions of the paintings and an article about Tandecki and the competitionMore than appear any on 12 on months pages 12-13. in the recent history of our com- a holiday greeting: pany, 2006 was a year in which Foss Maritime moved forward strategically in all areas of our business. FOSS SHIPYARD,Strategic Moves in 2006Foss could move its Seattle Saltchuk announced in early Shipyard and Terminal operations October that it had signed a purchase- We believe that new courses charted in our harbor services, Align Us with This Mission:base to the Everett waterfront if and-sale agreement with Kimberly- OPERATIONS BASE marine transportation/logistics and shipyard lines of business, Provide Customers withparent Services company Saltchuk closes a Clark to buy the property. while not without risk, will further the growth and success of COULD MOVE TO deal to purchase a 66-acre waterfront According to the announcement, that are Without Equal the company for decades to come. Continued inside EVERETT HARBOR property that was formerly home to the deal would initially bring 250 Foss a Kimberly-Clark pulp mill and employees to Everett with a strong tissue plant. potential for additional jobs in the (Continued on page 4.) always readyready Steve Scalzo: A Mentor to Many By Paul Stevens Move to Everett Possible President and CEO The Foss Seattle Shipyard and the company’s I have been fortunate over the past As the holidays approach, it’s time marine operations base could be moved ten years to work closely with Steve for us at Foss to take a deep breath and to the Everett waterfront, depending upon Scalzo, chief operating officer of Foss, look back at a year that has included whether Foss parent Saltchuk and the seller follow through on a purchase-and-sale a man I truly admire and respect many initiatives that will carry us into agreement announced in October. and am fortunate the future. Not the Cover enough to call him least of those is the Always a Team Player my friend. Steve consolidation of Steve Scalzo, who retired from Foss in retired on Oct. 18 Foss and its sister October, says the best thing about his 38-year after 38 years with tug-barge companies career with the company was working with its “wonderful team of employees.” Industry the company. A under the Foss leaders praised Scalzo for his decades of story about his Maritime banner. leadership. Page 6 -7 career appears on Together under this page 6, along with single brand, with its Honored for Hurricane Work comments from tradition of safety and Before superstorm Sandy was even finished with its rampage through New York and industry leaders who innovation, we will New Jersey in October 2012, Foss was recognize the enormous contributions be in a very strong position to continue preparing to provide disaster relief. he has made to the tug-barge sector serving our customers while meeting Federal officials recently honored the and to the U.S. maritime industry as the expectations of our shareholders. company for its efforts. Page 8 a whole. Among the many other significant ‘Tigers’ on the River While he is officially retiring, I am moves of the year was our further In a vote of confidence that its business not letting Steve get too far away from expansion in the energy sector and on the Columbia River will grow, Foss has the company. He will serve on our the opening of an office in Anchorage acquired two high-powered tractor tugs that advisory board and, on a consulting to better serve our customers. On the will be based in Portland. Named the Tiger 1 basis, will lead our effort to potentially shipyard side, the construction of three and Tiger 2, the tugs were built in Honolulu in 2009. relocate our Seattle shipyard to the ocean boats at our Rainier Shipyard in Page 11 former Kimberly-Clark pulp mill Oregon is well underway. Our Seattle Bay Operation Turns 20 property on the Everett waterfront. yard, traditionally a maintenance and Foss started its service on San Francisco Bay But make no mistake, his day-to- repair facility, is also moving into new in 1993 on the back of the new tanker regulations with a single tug in a joint venture day presence will be sorely missed. A construction, which further diversifies with Exxon Mobil’s shipping subsidiary. wonderful and caring individual, he our business. Today, Foss is a major player on the Bay, has been a mentor for many who have Our 2013 accomplishments wouldn’t performing ship assists, escorts and helped build Foss into the industry have been possible without the support bunkering. Page 14 leader it is today. Our culture of of our great employees, our vendors, The Spills that Never Happened compassion, hard work and dedication our shareholders and our friends. Have Two Foss tankbarge crews used their to the safety of our people are part of a great holiday, and here’s to continuing stop-work authority in separate incidents his legacy. We all thank him for his our success in 2014. at the Long Beach Anchorage recently, contributions and look forward to his preventing possible oil spills and drawing praise from their manager and continued guidance. from Chevron. Page 16 To submit articles for Tow Bitts, please contact Bruce Sherman, editor, [email protected], or Tina Wissmar, coordinator of production, [email protected]. The Tow Bitts graphic designer is Barbara Hoberecht. Tow Bitts is published six times a year by Foss Maritime for employees, customers and friends. Changes to the Tow Bitts mailing list should be referred to Colleen Liman, (206) 281-3988 or [email protected]. 2 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • December, 2013 Anniversary Logo Celebrates Foss History Steve Scalzo: A Mentor to Many And Looks to the Future of the Company Foss publications, business cards anniversary logo as “an extension of and other printed and online materials the Foss brand that focuses on the will sport a new logo next year as part company’s commitment to responsive, of the company’s 125th anniversary safe and reliable service.” She said it celebration. was inspired by the anniversary theme, The logo was designed by Aukema “Building on our 125-Year Tradition of and Associates, Foss’ marketing and Innovation and Expertise.” public relations contractor. It features Foss President and CEO the words “Foss” and “125 years” Paul Stevens said that as part of He added, “The use of the emblazoned on a green compass marking the anniversary, Foss compass rose harkens back to an era rose crossed by a banner carrying the wanted to celebrate its rich history and before GPS systems and signifies how company motto, “Always Safe Always look toward the future, “honoring Foss’ Foss continues to navigate toward Ready,” accented by its existing chain- innovative spirit that continues the future. Foss’ motto ‘Always Safe. link logo. to influence the maritime Always Ready’ remains at the heart Megan Aukema described the industry today.” of everything we do.” EIGHTY FOSS MARITIME VESSELS HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE The Arthur Foss, the Justine Foss and customers talk with us, safety and many other Foss Maritime vessels the environment come up early in have been free of environmental discussions. To have 80 of our mishaps for the past 20 years. In fact, vessels singled out by the Chamber 80 tugs and barges owned by the of Shipping for environmental company, which has one of the achievement underscores all our nation’s largest coastal tug and barge efforts at Foss.” fleets, are being recognized this year U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. by a major maritime organization for Joseph A. Servidio, Assistant their outstanding environmental safety Commandant for Prevention Policy, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Joseph A. Servidio records. participated in the award ceremony presented the awards to Foss Vice President The Chamber of Shipping of and congratulated the work performed Susan Hayman. America (CSA) announced the awards by Foss and 75 other maritime honoring Foss’ environmental companies — a total of 1,431 vessels. achieving environmental excellence. achievements recently in the Joseph J. Cox, President and CEO It should be clear to the American nation’s capital. of CSA said, “These awards celebrate people that we in the maritime Altogether, the 80 Foss vessels the dedication to environmental industry take our stewardship of the recognized by CSA have gone a excellence of our seafarers and the marine environment very seriously.” combined 816 years without an company personnel shore-side who environmental incident. That’s an operate our vessels to the highest average of more than 10 years standards. In today’s world, it seems per vessel. our industry only gets front-page news “Safety is woven into Foss’ when spills or other environmental corporate culture,” said Paul Stevens, problems occur. It is encouraging to president and CEO. “When our see how many vessels go for years December, 2013 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 3 FOSS SHIPYARD, OPERATIONS BASE COULD MOVE TO EVERETT (Continued from the cover) future. It is anticipated that an actual our economic future. We are very site plan for the property as well as move from current Foss facilities excited to have a successful, thriving working with local, state and federal on the Lake Washington Ship Canal maritime company choose Everett to officials to determine the permits would be several years out.