septemberdecember 2010 2006 / / volume volume 23 19 issue issue 3 4

Harold Hutchinson Photography MAIDEN VOYAGE The tractor tug Daniel Foss assisted the new Gearbulk ship M/V Macuru Arrow into Terminal 6 at the Port of Portland on Tuesday, August 10. The arrival marked the breakbulk ship’s first port of call on its maiden voyage after construction at the Oshima shipyard in Japan. The ship is the third of four of Gearbulk’s “Sixth Generation” of open-hatch gantry crane ships. It is equipped with two 70-metric-ton gantry cranes andMore measures than 738any feet 12 by months 105 feet. 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 WILLStrategic CONVERT Moves in 2006Building on the success of the hybrid tug Carolyn Dorothy, Foss will retrofit one of its conventionally powered vessels with the technology that combines diesel We believe that new courses charted in our harbor services, TRACTORAlign TUG Us with This Mission:engines, electric motor/generators and batteries to reduce fuel consumption and marine transportation/logistics and shipyard lines of business, Provide Customers withpolluting Services emissions. TO HYBRID POWER while not without risk, will further the growth and success of that are Without Equal The Campbell Foss is scheduled to go into the Foss Rainier Yard for the four- month job next March.the The company retrofit forof thedecades Campbell to come. was approved Continued thanks inside to a grant obtained by the Port of Long Beach from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Continued on page 4

always ready LINES

Hybrid Tug Getting a Sister Uniting our Company Under a Brand The Campbell Foss will go into the Foss Rain- ier Shipyard next March to be transformed Of Operational Excellence and Safety into a hybrid-powered tug, the second in the Foss southern California fleet. The first was the Carolyn Dorothy, which entered service in One Foss. Over the last several years, Foss has January 2009 and has proven itself with low That will be something of a been implementing its safety systems, fuel consumption and reduced emissions. rallying cry through the end of this operational excellence programs and Cover year as we complete the process of procedures, management practices bringing subsidiaries Constellation and business ethics principles at the High Marks for Challenging Alaska Job Foss’ new shallow-draft tug Dana Cruz Maritime, Gulf Caribe subsidiaries. Going forward, performed up to expectations while working Maritime and America our customers will learn to with the Halle Foss and two barges to Cargo Transport Corp. expect the same high-quality dismantle two LORAN stations in remote (ACTC) into the Foss family. transportation solutions at an areas of Alaska. One was on stormy Attu Most apparent to custom- excellent value from all Foss Island at the end of the Aleutian chain, a six-day run from Dutch Harbor. ers during this process will divisions. Page 9 be the re-branding of all Why have we waited until Foss Returns to Neah Bay three subsidiaries. ACTC now to complete this union? After a three-year absence, Foss is back in will be integrated into the Constellation and ACTC Neah Bay, Wash., on the remote northwestern Global Services Division, had well-established, success- corner of the continental United States. The while Boston-based Constellation and ful cultures, similar to ours, which is Jeffrey Foss is stationed in the tribal village as the regional towing activities of Gulf part of the reason we acquired them. the state’s Emergency Response Towing Caribe in Mobile will be part of the Their employees are rightfully proud Vessel, standing by to assist disabled ships and prevent oil spills on the coast. newly formed Atlantic Division. (The of their companies’ heritages. Page 10 Delta Mariner will continue carrying The Foss approach is to build on Tugs Find Path through Red Dog Ice cargo for the United Launch Alliance those things, not destroy them. And it With Port Capt. Scott Olson performing aerial as part of Global Services.) has taken time for the new employees reconnaissance, the Foss Red Dog fleet found John Tirpak will lead Foss Global, to become comfortable with Foss’ a path through the ice in time to get off to a and Marc Villa takes over the Atlantic corporate structure and practices. fast start in this year’s ore lightering project. Division. Dave Hill and Mike Magill For Gulf Caribe, the creation of an The four tugs and two barges are expected to will oversee Foss’ traditional opera- Atlantic Division this year meant the be heading back to Seattle by mid-October. Page 12 tions — The Pacific Division, and timing was right to more fully inte- Shipyards and Technical Services, grate the company with Foss. 66 Chevelle is Laborer’s Love Seattle Shipyard Labor Shop Foreman Larry respectively. In the background, the three sub- Hurtt bought his 1966 Chevelle in 1977 and In the near future, you will be sidiaries will still exist under the old its restoration is now about 85 percent seeing the Foss name and our chain- names as legal entities. That’s also the complete. The automobile, powered by a 500 link logo front-and-center on all Foss case with earlier Foss acquisitions, horsepower engine, was appraised last year Global and Atlantic Division business such as Brix Maritime in Portland and for $33,500. Page 17 cards, letterhead, signs, buildings and PacTow in southern California. other branded materials. The Foss But as with those Oregon and name and brand also will be applied California acquisitions, you will hear to tugs and other vessels, as schedules the names Constellation, Gulf Caribe To submit articles for Tow Bitts, please and drydockings permit. and ACTC less and less as time pass- contact Bruce Sherman, editor, [email protected], or Earl Clark, Even more important than the new es. All of our operations will have a coordinator of production, [email protected]. graphics, however, is what applying single face and a single brand signify- The Tow Bitts graphic designer is Barbara them symbolizes, which is the full ing operational excellence and safety, Hoberecht. Tow Bitts is published quarterly integration of ACTC, Gulf Caribe and as well as superior customer service by Foss Maritime for employees, customers Constellation into the Foss culture. and responsiveness. and friends. Changes to the Tow Bitts This is particularly true in the case of One Foss. mailing list should be referred to the Marine Personnel office in Seattle, Constellation and ACTC, acquired by (206) 281-3821/3958. Foss in 2006 and 2007. Gulf Caribe was established by Foss as a separate entity in 1988. President and Chief Operating Officer

2 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 Uniting our Company Under a Brand Of Operational Excellence and Safety

CHRISTENING AT RAINIER SHIPYARD

Ava Campbell, 6, of Kent, Wash., front and center in the photo at right, christened her namesake vessel on Friday, Sept. 10, at the Foss Rainier Shipyard in Rainier, Ore., where the boat was built. The Ava Foss is a service craft that will carry Chevron Shipping personnel, tanker crewmembers and others between shore and El Segundo Moorings in southern California. Ava Campbell is a great, great, great granddaughter of company founders Thea and Andrew Foss. With her in the front row are sisters Lauren, 8, left, and Sydney Campbell, 9. In the back row, from left, are shipyard New Construction Manager Mark Houghton, Ava’s father Craig Campbell, Foss Senior Vice President of Operations Scott Merritt and Vice President of the Pacific Division David Hill. In the photo above, the 60-foot boat is ready for duty, at a float at the yard on the Columbia River. Jereme Ruhl Photos

WORLD’S LARGEST DRILLING SHIP

Constellation Maritime’s tug Phoenix pushed a barge carrying a new thruster for the world’s largest drilling ship, the Stena Forth, which was being repaired by Cianbro Corp. while anchored in Maine’s Penobscot Bay. Cianbro installed three new thrusters on the 748-foot ship in late June.

Cianbro Corporation September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 3 Ernesto Rodriguez The Campbell Foss, foreground, will undergo a hybrid conversion beginning in March 2011.

FOSS CONVERTS TRACTOR TUG (Continued from cover)

The project will be implemented with electric motor/generators that can optimized for better results.” through a partnership between be used in a variety of modes to For example, she said, Foss has Foss, the ports of Long Beach and deliver power to the tug’s propel- learned that the hybrids need fewer Los Angeles as well as CARB. lers while also charging a large bank batteries than originally thought, so Both the Carolyn Dorothy and of batteries. A control panel in the the Campbell Foss will probably get Campbell Foss are Dolphin Class ship- middle of the engine room ties the about 80, compared to 126 on the assist tugs based in Long Beach. Foss components together and is the heart Carolyn Dorothy. also plans to retrofit other tugs in of the system. Fitting everything in the Campbell’s the future. The Carolyn Dorothy entered engine room will probably be chal- “At Foss, we have a ‘zero trace’ service in January 2009 and remains lenging. The tug will keep its main corporate goal and a commitment to the world’s first and only hybrid tug. engines, which are larger than the give our customers the highest level The emissions goals with the Carolyn Dorothy’s, leaving less space of service,” said Susan Hayman, Foss Campbell Foss retrofit are: reduction of for other components. At the vice president for environmental and diesel particulate matter by more than same time, Hayman said, “AKA has governmental affairs. “Making use of 1.7 tons a year; reduction of nitrogen reduced the size of some of their cost-effective hybrid technology is an oxides by more than 53 tons; reduction componentry.” important part of our strategy as it of reactive organic gases by more than Richard Cameron, director of envi- allows us to use best-in-class, advanced 1.2 tons; and reduction of carbon diox- ronmental planning at the Port of technology to serve our customers and ide by more than 1,340 tons. Foss also Long Beach, said, “The Foss-Aspin/ manage our expenses over the long hopes to cut diesel fuel consumption Kemp & Associates hybrid technol- term while safeguarding the environ- by more than 100,000 gallons a year. ogy is already proving its worth on ment at the same time.” “The good news is that there are a the Carolyn Dorothy. When the Air Foss developed the hybrid technol- lot of lessons learned from the Carolyn Resources Board asked for proposals ogy with Aspin Kemp & Associates Dorothy that can be incorporated into to retrofit existing vessels with cutting- (AKA), based in Ontario, Canada. It the new system on the Campbell Foss,” edge hybrid technology, we knew we employs diesel main engines in line Hayman said. “It will be further wanted to partner with Foss again.”

4 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 Seattle’s Battalion Four Conducts Large-Scale Drill at Foss; Fifty-five Firefighters, Ten Trucks Descend on Headquarters

In an example of continuing Seattle’s cargo terminals. cooperation between Foss and local “We try to take the opportunity to fire departments, Seattle firefighters do these drills when we can,” said spent most of Sunday, July 11, at com- Battalion Chief Ron Mondrigon, who pany headquarters, staging simulated was the senior officer on site. “We attacks on a scripted fire on the tug depend on the cooperation of busi- Craig Foss. nesses such as Foss.” About 55 firefighters split into four Mondrigon said vessel fires are groups for separate assaults on the particularly challenging because they tug. Each group laid about 1,000 feet generally produce high heat and lots of hose through the company parking of smoke while paths of egress for lot and out to the rear deck of the tug, firefighters are usually difficult to fol- which was not crewed at the time of low. It also can be tough to get charged the drill. hoses on deck, and lines often must be They used eight engine trucks and strung from distant hydrants. Firefighters lay down hose during their drill at two ladder trucks during the drill, Lt. Mike Linker planned and coordi- Foss headquarters. which was limited to exterior spaces nated the drill. on the tug. The drill followed meetings a strong relationship with local fire The firefighters were part of the between local firefighters and Regional departments.” said Foss Director of Seattle Fire Department’s Battalion 4, Safety Committees in all four Foss Health and Safety Al Rainsberger. Ernesto Rodriguez whose area of responsibility includes regions on the West Coast. The Foss “There are situations when we may be the Lake Washington Ship Canal personnel and firefighters have talked the first on site to render assistance in (home of Foss), and Elliott Bay. Both about ways they can cooperate in both emergencies. We need to know what is locations have numerous commercial landside and waterside responses to expected of us and what we can expect and recreational moorage areas, and waterfront emergencies. from the fire departments if we Elliott Bay is the site of the Port of “It is important that we develop call them.”

Hoses were discharged at full power from the Craig Foss.

September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 5 O N S A F E T Y

Safety on Menu at Foss Industry Appreciation Barbecues; Vendors Display Equipment, Mingle with Foss Customers

Safety first, then hamburgers and on display. hot dogs. “We’ve picked up That was the order of business some business at this on August 10 and 24 at Industry event in the past from Appreciation Barbecues held by Foss people who didn’t know at company facilities in Seattle and where to get these Tacoma. products,” Harold said. Before they signed in and headed He also noted that Foss for the food, the hundreds of cus- has a well-embedded tomers and guests who attended the safety culture, among events had a chance to take in display the best among the tables crammed with personal protec- companies he deals tive equipment set up and tended by with. Foss safety vendors. “Safety is top down, “We want our customers to inter- and that’s the way it mingle with these folks and know is here,” he said. “You that even at a barbecue, safety is our can have the greatest absolute priorty” said Foss Director intentions in the field, but if top man- fall-protection harnesses and tethers of Health and Safety Al Rainsberger. agement doesn’t support it, it won’t be and said compliance with industrial “And we hope that safety is an impor- successful.” safety regulations is higher in the tant thing for their employees as well. In addition to the fact that promot- Northwest than it is in other parts of Represented at the event were ing safety is the right thing to do, the country. “The customers we deal National Safety, Inc., a distributor, Harold said maintaining safe work- with, compliance is very important for and manufacturers Capital Safety, places helps companies keep employ- them,” he said. Olympius & Associates and 3M ees healthy, secure new work, retain Jeff Taylor of 3M Marine said Foss Marine. existing customers and keep insurance is “one of the elite” companies when it James Harold of National Safety premiums down. Also, subcontractors comes to safety. said the displays at Foss are unique, with good safety records are more apt “If I need to find out something both in their careful planning and in to be hired. about a safety topic I wasn’t in tune the exposure they give for the glasses, Rick Maurice of Capital Safety was with, I’d call Al,” he said. harnesses, gloves and other safety gear at the picnic to display his company’s More barbecue photos on page 13.

IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY PROGRAMS AT FOSS SUBSIDIARIES UNDERWAY

Foss is implementing its safety the safety pyramid,” said Foss Vice in late October. programs at subsidiaries America President Safety, Quality and General Williamson said that establish- Cargo Transport Corp., Constellation Counsel Frank Williamson. “We’re ing regional safety committees will Maritime and Gulf Caribe Maritime standardizing processes and bringing lead to implementation of programs and hopes to see benefits in them into alignment with the vastly such as lessons-learned and near-miss continually safer operations. improved safety record Foss has experi- reporting and eventually to the Foss Bringing the Foss safety culture to enced in the last few years.” Shipmate Plus behavioral safety ACTC, which will be part of the Foss Foss Safety Coordinator Joe Noverr program for mariners. Global Division, and Gulf Caribe and is assisting in the implementation at “Ultimately, we’ll be managing Constellation, which will be part of Tukwila, Wash.-based ACTC, where safety the same way throughout all the Foss Atlantic Division, is part of a the initial Global/ACTC Regional Foss operations,” Williamson said. greater effort to fully integrate all Safety Committee meeting was held on “That will mean a safer working subsidiaries into the Foss family. August 12. A similar meeting will be environment for everyone in the “We’re building the foundation of held at Constellation’s Boston offices company.”

6sFoss Tow BittssALWAYS READYsSeptember, 2010 Company’s Lost-Time Injury Performance Recognized

Foss Maritime Company’s commit- (three years); Arrow 2 ment to safety has again been recog- (nine years); Arthur Foss nized by a top maritime organization, (three years); Betsy L which cited 34 vessels for outstanding (four years); Campbell safety records, an increase of 12 vessels Foss (three years); Caribe over 2009. Horizon (four years); The Chamber of Shipping of Corbin Foss (three years); America (CSA) presented the Foss Delta Mariner (two years); vessels with Jones F. Devlin Awards at Dorothy L Sylvester (three the Annual Safety Awards Luncheon years); Drew Foss (five held this year in New Orleans, years); Halle Foss (two Louisiana. The awards are given to years); Henry Foss (two self-propelled merchant vessels that years); Howard Olsen have operated for two full years or (four years); and Iver Foss more without a crewmember losing (two years). a full turn at watch because of an Also: Jim Moore occupational injury. (twelve years); Keegan Altogether, the Foss ships achieved Foss (two years); Keith K the equivalent of 144 years without a (four years); Lauren Foss lost-time injury. (two years); Lindsey Foss “Foss’ chief goal is creating the (four years); Lynn Marie safest possible work environment — (four years); Marshall Foss (four years); America represents 31 U.S.-based for our employees and for our custom- Pacific Escort (four years); Pacific Knight companies that own, operate or ers,” said Gary Faber, Foss president (four years); Pacific Queen (four years); charter oceangoing tankers, container and COO. “We have again set a Pacific Viking (four years); Piper Inness ships, dry bulk vessels engaged in precedent with our safety record and (five years); PJ Brix (three years); Point both the domestic and international are proud of our recognition by the Fermin (eleven years); Point Vicente trades and companies that maintain a Chamber of Shipping of America for (five years); San Joaquin River (five commercial interest in the operation our outstanding efforts.” years); Sandra Foss (four years); Sidney of such oceangoing vessels. Foss Devlin vessels honored (and Foss (three years); Stacey Foss (seven the number of years the ships have years); William R (four years). been injury free) were: American River The Chamber of Shipping of

IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY PROGRAMS AT FOSS SUBSIDIARIES UNDERWAY

Attending the inaugural Regional Safety Committee meeting at America Cargo Transport Corp. were, clockwise from lower left, Foss Director of Health and Safety Al Rainsberger, Bosun Robert Anderson, Marine Compliance Manager Mary Beedle, Capt. William Sites, Super- cargo Jay Schram, AB/Engineer Dustin Van Duin and Chief Mate Russel Furtney.

Joe Noverr September, 2010sALWAYS SAFE sFoss Tow Bittss7 Foss Seeing Significant Pollution Reduction with ‘V-Cats’

Using an air-quality grant from technology is the locomotive industry,” the Port of Los Angeles, Foss in June Hayman said. “There are differences installed experimental pollution-con- in the way we operate, but analyzing trol devices on the tug Brynn Foss that successful applications of technology are significantly reducing emissions in other industries is one of the ways of particulates, carbon monoxide, total we can develop effective solutions for hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. our industry.” The devices are called diesel oxida- Hayman described the devices tion catalysts (DOCs). The models as manifolds that force the Brynn’s installed on the Brynn’s 12-cylinder exhaust though tightly woven mesh EMD engines are called “V-Cats” and screens like big steel wool pads and were manufactured by Miratech Corp., use small amounts of platinum as a based in Tulsa, Okla. catalyst. Foss Vice President for Initial test results showed Environmental and Governmental decreases in emissions of particulates, Affairs Susan Hayman called the carbon monoxide and other emissions. project “an example of how we pull in The tug experienced no loss of power A V-Cat before installation on one of the Brynn innovative technologies and see if they or increase in fuel comsumption. Foss’s main engines. are effective for our industry.” Foss worked with the Port of She said DOCs have been used Los Angeles, which provided the for some time in trucks, buses and grant for the 36-month project, and conducted before the devices were other equipment, including recent the California Air Resources Board added to the Brynn’s engines during a installations on railroad locomotives to establish testing protocols to drydocking at Bay Ship and Yacht Co. with engines similar to those used determine the effectiveness of in Alameda, Calif. Foss Bay Area Port on tugboats. the DOCs. Engineer Fred Ellingson supervised “One of the places we look for new Pre-installation testing was the installations.

HEADED FOR MOUNT RAINIER

The tug Wedell Foss headed up the Blair Waterway at the Port of Tacoma, with Mount Rainier in the background, on a recent sunny morning. The 94-foot Wedell is one of three “Tractor-Plus” tugs in the Foss fleet. Each is equipped with two Voith Cycloidal drives and a Z-drive, giving them 4,700 horsepower.

8 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 Foss Seeing Significant Pollution Reduction with ‘V-Cats’

Mike Lauer Photos The tug Dana Cruz and barge Sunny Point land in the soft sand of Port Clarence, below, and at the remote island of Attu, above. Soft Sand, Storms and Long Ocean Voyages Fail to Deter Foss Vessels during Loran Jobs in Remote Areas of Alaska

Foss tug and barge crews overcame from the shoreside tank farm to Delta said, “You’re in fairly tight quarters, soft sand that bogged down their Western’s tank barge, the OB 5. and if the wind kicks up, which it can equipment on a beach near Nome, and LORAN is an acronym for Long- do quickly, you can get yourself in endured long voyages to Attu Island, Range Aid to Navigation, which in trouble.” while successfully assisting Jacobs recent years has been supplanted by He credited Dana Cruz Capt. Sam Engineering in dismantling LORAN GPS (Global Positioning System) as Nelson with skillfully guiding the stations at two remote Alaska locations the electronic navigation system of Sunny Point to the beach under the in July and August. choice for mariners. watchful eye of Gazeley. The shallow-draft tug Dana Cruz Foss Global Services Business The Halle Foss maneuvered the and the ramp barge Sunny Point made Development Manager Mike Lauer tankbarge into a two-point mooring, beach landings at Port Clarence, near said crews had to use a bulldozer to and the fuel oil was pumped aboard Nome, and at Attu Island, 850 nauti- pull wheeled equipment out of the soft through a hose. The tankermen were cal miles west of Dutch harbor at the sand at Port Clarence until the sand John Munson and Tom Rekart. end of the Aleutian chain. The barge was compacted enough to support During the trip to Attu, the Foss offloaded heavy equipment and empty the traffic. crews also delivered five containers containers, which were then loaded up The distance to Attu and the weath- of military cargo to Shemya Island, with household goods and other gear er there were the big challenges, Lauer about 35 nautical miles away. They used by the Coast Guard when the said. The Dana Cruz made the trip had to abort a first attempt at landing stations were manned and active. from Dutch Harbor in six days, while in Shemya because of bad weather, but In addition, the Halle Foss and the Halle Foss did it in four and a half the weather cleared for a successful tankbarge 248 P-2 made a trip to days. Lauer and Capt. Herb Gazeley, delivery a couple of days later. Attu Island to pump about 85,000 America Cargo Transport Corp. direc- The Foss equipment was expected gallons of no-longer-needed fuel oil tor of cargo operations made the trip to be back in Seattle by the end of from tanks at the LORAN station. to Attu in a small, twin-engine plane September. It was the first trip for the While at Port Clarence, Foss tanker- from Anchorage, which took six and a Dana Cruz, a new vessel acquired by men pumped approximately 122,000 half hours. Foss last spring. gallons of no-longer-needed fuel oil Of the beach landing at Attu, Lauer

September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 9 Foss is Back in Neah Bay with Emergency-Response Tug; Company Works to Rebuild Ties with Tribal Community

Foss is re-establishing itself in Neah community.” tug can be a critical factor in protect- Bay, cementing ties with the remote Foss builds those ties by hosting ing the coast. Over the years, the ERTV Makah tribal community where the gatherings like the one where Reed has responded to assist disabled con- company will base Washington state’s spoke. He and others from Foss also tainer ships, oil barges, fishing boats emergency response towing vessel exchanged gifts with tribal leaders and and other vessels, all with the potential (ERTV) under a 10-year contract. got to know them, and on a day-to-day to unleash spills. The ocean-going tug Jeffrey Foss has basis, the tug crews do what they can This year’s first callout was to assist been on station in Neah Bay since the to participate in community life. a powerless articulated tug-barge beginning of July after the company In the past, they have given talks vessel (ATB) operated by Crowley won a competitive bid enabling it to for local schoolchildren, and groups of Maritime, which previously held the return to the remote community on youngsters from the community have ERTV contract. The ATB, which was the northwestern tip of Washington taken tours of the tug. The crewmen transporting fuel, regained power and and the United States. Foss previously and the company also have contribut- the Jeffrey escorted it into port. operated the ERTV from 1999 ed time and money to local humanitar- Having the tug on standby is to 2006. ian causes, and have routinely invited seen as an important plus, both by the The ERTV, previously paid for by locals to the tug for meals. Coast Guard and the Makah the state of Washington, is being fund- Foss also employs a tribal member community. ed by the maritime industry beginning as a deckhand trainee. This year, it’s “We only have a towing capacity of this year. The tug is on standby to 25-year-old Blake Hill. (See article at up to 200 tons with our lifeboats,” said assist ships and barges that become right.) Chief Warrant Officer Robert Schmidt, disabled and prevent them from “We try to become involved as who commands the Coast Guard drifting onto the rocks and causing oil much as we can,” said Capt. Bill detachment in Neah Bay. “Having tow- spills. Archer, one of the current captains ing capacity here for distressed vessels “We’re excited to be in Neah Bay on the Jeffrey who previously served in is a really good idea.” once again,” Foss Northwest General Neah Bay as captain of the Janine Bowechop, director of the Manager Bruce Reed said at a recent Barbara Foss. Makah Cultural and Research Center, gathering of Foss executives and tribal The crews have plenty of time for noted that the tribe has many impor- officials in the village, population those efforts. Archer said that the tug tant cultural sites along the coast, and 1,200. “We want to rebuild the historic averages about four callouts a year. having the ERTV stationed in Neah connections we’ve had with this But when callouts do happen, the Bay “makes all kinds of sense to us.”

The Jeffrey Foss is underway, leaving its berth recently at the Neah Bay Marina. The Jeffrey Foss is at the end of the pier nearest the end of the breakwater in this aerial photo of the village of Neah Bay.

10 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 She also said Foss “has a wonder- ful record of working with the com- munity” while showing respect for the Makah culture and contributing to the local economy.” During the recent barbecue gather- ing, after brief presentations by Reed, Pacific Division Vice President David Hill, Foss parent company MRG COO Steve Scalzo, and Foss President and COO Gary Faber, Makah Tribal Chairman Michael Lawrence addressed the group. “We want to convey our apprecia- tion for what Foss does and welcome Blake Hill is the tribal deckhand trainee on the Jeffrey Foss. you back to Neah Bay,” he said. “The ocean is our livelihood, our way of life, MAKAH TRAINEE LIKES TUGBOATS, SAYS FOSS and the appreciation we have for the PEOPLE ARE ‘EASIER GOING’ ocean today has been with the Makah people throughout our existence...You Blake Hill can’t imagine living in a city or working in an office. Being a resident of play a role in protecting that for us.” Neah Bay and working as the training crewmember on the Jeffrey Foss suit the Makah Others attending included: Colleen tribal member just fine, he says. “I like the water and the fresh air all the time,” said Hill. Liman, Steve Kimmel and Greg “I couldn’t stand being in a cubicle.” Schaut from Foss; Tom Callahan Hill, 25, has lived in Neah Bay since he was 5 years old. He also was the training from the Washington State Maritime deckhand for Crowley Maritime for a year and a half when it had the ERTV contract. He Cooperative; Frank Holmes and previously had been a logger and worked in mills, commuting an hour each way to Forks, Lowell Elsen from the Western States after being a commercial fisherman for several years. Petroleum Association; and Makah “I’d like to stay on tugboats — there’s always something to do,” said Hill, who hopes to Tribal Council members Nathan Tyler, learn about making and breaking tows, among other things, while working for Foss. Timothy Greene, Sr., Micah McCarty How does he compare Foss to his previous employer? and Ryland Bowechop. “The people at Foss are a lot easier-going,” said Hill, who has a child and is engaged to be married.

Foss President and COO Gary Faber, left, presented a half-hull model of a Mikimiki tug to Makah Tribal Chairman Michael Lawrence during the August 20 barbecue.

Crewmembers on the Jeffrey Foss include, from left, Mate Shawn O’Connor, Deckhand Trainee Blake Hill, Engineer Ted Edwards, Deckhand Don Garrett, Capt. Lars Hadland and Cook Rocky Rauch. September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 11 The Stacey Foss worked with the barge Kivalina near the Red Dog Mine this summer. Katie Wixom Port Captain Goes Aloft to Find Path Through Ice; Then Weather Helps Red Dog Crews Keep Pace

Late-season ice delayed the arrival Ackerman, Chief Engineer Jake David Buckley, Bogdan Fetsek and of Foss tugs and barges at the Red Dog Rosenberg, Able-Bodied Seamen Steve Bob Rowan; Loader Superintendent Mine port in Northern Alaska in June, Creech and Rolan McCune, Cook Ricky Sockpick; Loader Supervisors but crews made up for lost time with Doug Bender and Ordinary Seaman Vitaliy Fetsek and Wynn Davis; a quick set-up of their equipment, and Scott Myers. Dispatchers Cody Pearson and Alex they were ready to begin ore lightering Iver Foss. Capt. Gary May, Second Wilson; Maintenance Superintendent operations by June 29. Capt. Nate Jansma, Mate Glen Elton “Mitch” Russeff; Mechanic Red Dog Port Capt. Scott Olson McVicker, Chief Engineer Roger Mark Worsham; and Electrician Stan helped keep the ice-caused delay to just Fallon, Able-Bodied Seamen Tim Tidyman. two days by flying over the area and Dvorak and Katie Wixom and Cook Shoreside personnel were: directing the tugs to the port through Greg Rankin. Manager Paul Wooden, Port Capt. an area that was just 50 percent filled Stacey Foss. Capt. Stan Stromme, Scott Olson and Project Manager Keith with ice. They arrived on June 26. Mate Eric Watson, Mate Tim Spencer Spearman. “The quick set up of the barges was (split time with Sandra), Chief due to the great performance of the Engineer Russell Barker, Able-Bodied veteran barge and tug crews with the Seamen Chad Moen and Ricky help of the new members as well,” said Edwards, Cook Tom Gibbons and SATISFACTION Red Dog Manager Paul Wooden. Ordinary Seaman Jake Blackson. As of late August, according to Sidney Foss. Capt. Todd Wilson, GUARANTEED Wooden, “The weather so far has been Second Capt. Eric Skewis, Mate Steve on the good side of things, allowing Winter, Chief Engineer Darryn Baker, Remember, little things us to keep up with the inflow of ships Able-Bodied Seamen Scott Cameron with minimal delays.” and Pete Roney and Cook Ron Wolf. make a big difference. He said Teck, the operator of the Barge Crewmembers were: mine, has started development of the Barge Rovers Neftali Alas, Greg — From Satisfaction Aqqaluk deposit, which should Alman and John Routh; Loader Guaranteed extend ore production at Red Dog for Operators Val Alonzo, Corey Coxon, By Byrd Baggett 15 to 20 years. The four Foss tugs and Matthew Harris, Nathan Henry, Carl two lightering barges are scheduled Horten, and Josh Shalan; Laborers to complete this year’s work in mid- William “Bill” Arey, Carl Foster Jr., October. Jamie Hawley, Bill Phillips, Vince Boat crews were: Roney, Greg Warnes, Tim Fields, Sandra Foss. Capt. Jeff Crooks, Robert Mulluk III, Cole Tobin, Calvin Jay Anderson Mate Mark Bechtel, Mate Tim Spencer Barr and Kyle Witty. (split time with Stacey), Mate Robby Also, Barge Superintendents

12 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 Katie Wixom

The Foss boathouse provided a backdrop for the Tacoma barbecue. Jay Anderson FOSS PICNICS DRAW HUNDREDS IN SEATTLE AND TACOMA Hundreds of customers, vendors and friends of Foss attended the company’s annual Industry Appreciation Barbecues in August at headquarters in Seattle and at the Foss boathouse in Tacoma. The gatherings featured the usual menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and beverages. Guests also enjoyed warm sunshine, which seems to favor the events every year.

Tom Wesman, left, of B & N Fisheries enjoys a bite in Seattle with Van Vorwerk, Around the table at Foss headquarters are, from left, Jim Lawrence, Saltchuk, center and Dave Herring of Foss Shipyard. Rich Berkowitz, Transportation Institute, Eric Van Andel, Saltchuk Air Cargo, and Steven Giese, Saltchuk. Jay Anderson From left in Tacoma are Patty Ludden, TOTE, Ole Halsvik, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines, From left, in Seattle, are Peter Phillips of Phillips Publishing, Marvin Ferreira, APM Terminals (back to camera), Len Mazzella, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines, and Don and Brooke Stabbert of Salmon Bay Marine Center. Scott Mason, ILWU, and Mike Gagner, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines.

September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 13 ALL TOGETHER NOW!

Foss mariners practiced synchronized swimming recently in Long Beach during survival suit training held in conjunction with the Responsible Carrier Program (RCP). From the front are Capt. Scott Culver (back to camera), Engineer Jim Slivkoff, Able-Bodied Seaman Craig Rowe and Tankerman Daniel Zufferey. Foss held the classes at the Long Beach Airport Holiday Inn, with instructors from Fremont Maritime in Seattle.

Dave Rodin SUPPORTING MARITIME EDUCATION

Foss in July presented a check for $5,000 to Orange Coast College in Newport Beach, Calif., in support of its School of Sailing and Seamanship. Foss has been backing the maritime training program since its inception in 2008, providing funding as well as internship and training opportunities for students both ashore and on vessels. Director of Marine Operations, Pacific Division, Capt. Igor Loch is on the program’s advisory council and Foss Capt. Scott Culver and other Foss captains have volunteered as instructors and mentors. In the photo, from left, are Mary Menninger, Professional Mariner Program coordinator, Scott McLung, lead instructor, Brad Avery, college director of marine programs, Loch and Culver.

MOVING A STERNWHEELER THROUGH THE GORGE

The Foss tug PJ Brix pushed the sternwheeler Columbia Gorge downriver from picturesque Cascade Locks on Tuesday, June 29. The sternwheeler, which caters to tourists, was headed to Advanced American Construction in Portland for gear repairs. Manning the tug

for the 12-hour round trip from Portland were Capts. Guenter Eckardt and Bim McCoy and Deckhands Bob Volmer and Ken Aman. Mike Walker

14 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 Six-Month Overhaul produces ‘Nearly-New’ Barge; Ramp Enables Deliveries to Remote Alaskan Areas

Dave Rodin

The Foss 300 derrick lowers a new ramp into position on the barge Spruce, owned by Olson Marine, Van Vorwerk Photos

A major overhaul of a barge formerly owned by a Foss sister com- pany in Hawaii produced six months

Mike Walker of work for craftsmen at Foss Shipyard in Seattle and a vessel that will provide many years of service for an Alaskan cargo operator. The barge is the 220-by-58-foot Spruce, which was the Aukai when it was operated by Hawaiian Tug and Barge -Young Brothers in Honolulu. The purchaser and Foss Shipyard’s cus- tomer was Olson Marine of Ketchikan, The barge Spruce, its overhaul complete, is maneuvered away from Foss Shipyard. Alaska. Olson, owned by Rick Olson, is a longtime customer of Foss and has to Seattle. We can act on their behalf “It has ‘D’ ring tie-downs so they can purchased a couple of tugs from the and keep them in the loop. That helps secure a wide variety of cargo,” Vorwerk company, including the Duncan Foss, them a lot and we appreciate the trust said. “In addition to beach landings, to move all kinds of cargo all and business.” they can do side loading at a pier and over Alaska. Work on the Spruce included replac- roll-on, roll-off cargo. This will be a “It was a very significant job for us,” ing about 60,000 pounds of steel, great addition to Olson’s growing fleet.” said project manager Van Vorwerk, not- blasting and coating the entire exterior, Monte Roy, Steel Shop foreman, ing that the barge arrived at Foss on and installing a concrete wear deck, a was the project superintendent, and Jan. 10 and was completed June 21. “We generator and a winch. The shipyard Vorwerk said Roy and the Foss crafts- have established a great relationship also fabricated a new 60-foot ramp for men who worked with him were an with Olson, which allows Rick to con- the barge, which will enable it to make integral part of the project’s success. centrate on managing and growing his beach landings to load and unload business, not traveling back and forth cargo in remote areas.

September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 15 San Nicolas Island Equipment Upgrades Underway At Foss Rainier Shipyard on the Columbia River

The equipment used by Foss to carry cargo to and from California’s San Nicolas Island, where the U.S. Navy has an airstrip and operates a weapons test- ing and training facility, is undergoing significant upgrades. The company is replacing the barge PT&S 379, which is beyond its useful service life, with the 185 C-4, a former chip barge that is being refurbished at Foss Rainier Shipyard in Oregon. The tug Edith Foss, used regularly on the San Nicolas run, is being refurbished and repowered, also at Rainier. Foss has been servicing the island for about 50 years, “carrying everything from F-18s to bulldozers to trash,” said Southern California Port Engineer Jerry Allen, who is helping to coordinate the upgrades. The tug and barge pick up cargo at The Edith Foss makes a landing at San Nicolas Island with the barge PT&S 379, which is being replaced. Port Hueneme, north of Los Angeles, up to three times a month, and deliver match the new pier. The barge’s 16-foot- which will be renamed Barge SNI. The to the island, which is the most remote high fences that contained the wood yard also is performing topside and of California’s Channel Islands and is chips it carried between Shelton and internal steel renewal. about 60 miles off the coast. The round Tacoma are being trimmed to six feet Allen said the Edith Foss, a 73-foot, trip takes about four days. on the sides and eight feet on the bow. Super D Class ocean going tug, is being The island’s cargo handling facility The stern will be open. repowered to meet California emissions was completed in 2005 and at the time The yard also is installing a five- standards, including installation of new was called the world’s first open-ocean inch-thick concrete deck, a low-emis- Tier 2 main engines and generators. roll-on, roll-off pier. Cargo had previ- sion generator, two mooring winches The tug also will be painted and other- ously been ramped onto the beach. and one ramp winch. The 44 by 13-foot wise refurbished at the Rainier yard. Dan Cole, who is project manager cargo ramp and its supporting struc- The project is expected to be finished for the barge upgrade, said the 185 by tures will be removed from the old by the end of the year. 50-foot barge is being re-configured to barge and installed on the 185 C-4,

GOLFING FOR CHARITY

The 11th Annual Towboat Invitational Golf Tournament at the Golf Club at Newcastle, near Seattle, drew about 300 participants on July 26 and raised more than $295,000 for the Heart Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Southwestern Oregon. The event is sponsored by Foss Maritime, Harley Marine Services, and Sause Bros., and since its inception has helped raise more than $1 million. In the photo, from left, are Denise Gould of Boys & Girls Club, Dick Lauer of Sause Bros., Keith Barnes of Harley Marine Services, Michael VanDerhoef of the Virginia Mason Foundation and Dave Hill from Foss.

16 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 Hauling Rocket Parts is a Steady Business for Gulf Caribe

The Delta Mariner, known as the The shipments aver- Foss “Rocket Ship,” gets most of the age one a month, said publicity for company subsidiary Gulf Gulf Caribe General Caribe Maritime, based in Mobile, Manager Bob Pepper. Ala. However, a low-profile, small-but- Either Pepper or Bates steady piece of business, combined travel about 350 miles with the work of the Delta Mariner, from Mobile to Iuka to makes Gulf Caribe the sole marine oversee each of the cargo services provider for the United operations and supervise Launch Alliance (ULA), manufacturer ballasting the barge for of the Delta and Atlas launch vehicles. loading and discharge. Gulf Caribe converted the FOSS The transit to the ULA 185 P-2, a 185-foot bunkering barge, plant takes the barge formerly based in Seattle, into a through two locks. Gulf deck barge to carry rocket parts from Caribe contracts with an Alliant Techsystems plant near Muscle Shoals Marine Iuka, Miss., about 90 miles up the and Tennessee Valley about the same time the Delta Mariner Tennessee River to the ULA plant in Towing for tugboat services. began service hauling completed Decatur, Ala. Pepper said the barge was delivered common booster cores ten years ago. “It’s pretty cut-and-dried,” said to Mobile from Seattle, converted by Before the barge conversion, the Gulf Caribe Operations Manager John Cooper Wilkins Machine Shop in company used a chartered barge. Bates. “It’s a ro-ro operation with the Mobile, and then towed to Iuka via the “It’s just a nice, steady piece of flight hardware. We load it on the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway. business,” Pepper said. barge, lash it down, and send it up Gulf Caribe has been hauling the the river.” carbon fiber parts for the rockets since

LARRY HURTT’S 33-YEAR RESTORATION PROJECT; CAR HAS SENTIMENTAL VALUE FOR SHIPYARD FOREMAN

People these days really go for replaced about 79 percent those 1960s muscle cars, according of the interior. He also to Larry Hurtt, the proud owner of a sanded the body down 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle hard-top to bare metal before powered by a 383 “Stroker” that painting it in a friend’s delivers about 500 horsepower. garage and installing A year out of high school in 1977, many new emblems. Hurtt bought the car for $600. He had He described the engine been looking for a Chevelle and spot- as a bored-out 350. It’s ted this one in a newspaper ad. It was called a “stroker” because in fair, stock condition, he said, so he the stroke of the pistons is looked it over and drove it home. shorter than standard for “I like the body style, and now it additional power. has sentimental value for me, since “It’s not a complete I’ve owned it so long,” said Hurtt, restoration, but it’s about labor shop foreman in the Seattle 85 percent,” said Hurtt, Shipyard and a 23-year veteran of Foss. who has the car registered as an rich guy comes along and offers me Over the last few years, he installed antique and drives it sparingly. “A year some change,” he added. “Then we the rebuilt engine, had the bumpers ago, it was appraised for $33,500. might talk money.” rechromed, bought new tires and “I’m sure I’ll keep it, unless some

September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 17 Three Employees’ Daughters Win 2010 Foss Scholarships

An award-winning violinist, a psy- Schnaitman, will be chology major who enjoys volunteer- a senior this year at ing in animal shelters and an anthro- Central Washington pology major who excells in broadcast University in Ellensburg, newswriting have been selected as Wash. A psychology winners of 2010 Foss Scholarships for major, she volunteers children of employees. for animal shelters Julia Chalker, daughter of Foss when not working at Global Services Project Coordinator school or playing on a co- Richard Chalker, will be a sopho- rec soccer team. Rachel more this year at the Berklee College is a graduate of the of Music in Boston, majoring in International Community School in violin and song writing. A gradu- Kirkland, Wash. RETIRED ate of Mercer Island (Wash.) High Kelby Vera, daughter of El Segundo School, she is a recipient of the North Moorings Launch Operator Michael Steve Bobal American Tour Scholarship and played Vera, will be a junior this year at Santa SoCal Able Seaman/Mate in concert with Isaac Delgado. Monica (Calif.) College. An anthropol- James Garmoe Rachelle Folk, daughter of ogy major, she has been recognized Marine Transportation Able Seaman IT Services Manager Kimberly for excellence in broadcast newswrit- ing and video production. She is a NEW EMPLOYEE graduate of Mira Costa High School in Andrew Connot SH IP K P

S Manhattan Beach, Calif. MRG Accounts Payable Manager Y A By Ron Costin and Brian Snelson Go right ahead Shippy Might wanna hurry it up tho' Shouldn't we put the gangway down guys?

E M IT E B

E M . IT E B

ARE THESE BOATS FOR REAL?

Although they are true to the originals down to fine detail, these boats are actually radio- controlled scale models that competed in the Foss Cup competition August 21 in Bellevue, Wash. They are models of, from left, the Morgan Foss (currently based in Long Beach), Claudia Foss (no longer owned by the com- pany), and the Thea Foss (owned by Foss parent company Saltchuk Resources.) The winner of the Foss-sponsored competition that tests model owners’ piloting skills was Doug Gunter of Snohomish, Wash. Retired Foss Capt. Jim Martin was among the judges.

18 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS READY • September, 2010 THE LOOK AFT Three Employees’ Daughters Win 2010 Foss Scholarships Logs Brought Foss to Neah Bay in the 1920s

By Mike Skalley

Foss’ first venture on the Northwest coast of Washington State did not occur in Neah Bay but at the Indian village of Mora, located on the Quillayute River, 40 sea miles south of Neah Bay on the Washington Coast. Foss entered into a contract with the Washington Pulp & Paper Corporation of Port Angeles, Wash., on April 9, 1924 to barge pulpwood from Mora to the WP&P Mill in Port Angeles. Foss barges were to be loaded with The Arthur Foss, shown towing a log crib, had the longest uninterrupted log service on the Strait of Juan de 150 cords per day and towed, weather Fuca, from 1948 – 1968. permitting, by the 240 horsepower tug, Foss No. 21. All the barges arriv- Port Angeles over the next sixty years. 1950 their booming and rafting opera- ing in Port Angeles were discharged Not too many years later towing log tions moved to Neah Bay, with most on arrival in order to expedite a quick cribs, and later bundled rafts became of the logs destined for Port Angeles. turn back to the Quillayute. Due to routine on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. As the heyday of log towing in the marginal weather conditions on the From booming grounds in Neah Bay, Strait began to decline, the older tugs Washington Coast, these movements Sail River, Hoko River, Pysht River and were retired, leaving two 1960s built were made only between May 1 and Sekiu, up to four Foss tugs at any one tugs to carry on, the Martha Foss and September 30 of each year. This time were towing for several large tim- Myrtle Foss. Logging declined rapidly contract lasted for six years until the ber customers. The tug with the lon- in Clallam County in the early 1980s, pulpwood camps closed along the gest uninterrupted log-towing service with most of the large timber gone Quillayute River. in the Straits was the 1889 built, 700 and stricter environmental regulations The actual Foss connection with horsepower Arthur Foss. The Arthur in place. Log towing in the outer Strait Neah Bay goes back much further was assigned to this service from 1948 was nearly history but was resurrected than the first “Neah Bay Rescue Tug” until its well-deserved retirement in in Neah Bay for a short period in in 1999. Seventy-one years earlier, in 1968. (The Arthur Foss is currently 1998 and 1999. Once again Foss got 1929, Foss began barging chips from owned by Northwest Seaport, and is the call, only this time the logs were Neah Bay to the Washington Pulp & moored on Lake Union in Seattle.) moved by barge, each of the twelve Paper mills in Port Angeles and Port Towing logs out of Neah Bay and loads consisting of about 217 bundles, Townsend. This was an initial three- other locations on the Strait required weighing in at 6,200 tons per load. year contract to provide three chip accurate timing of tides and weather The 4000 horsepower Craig Foss was barges and one tug, (the 275 horse- on the tug captain’s part as westerly assigned to the job, making the run ARE THESE BOATS FOR REAL? power, Iver Foss) at a rate of 55 cents winds and swells combined with a from Neah Bay to the Boise-Cascade per unit, based on 55,000 units deliv- west flowing tide could easily cause mill in St. Helens, Ore., in slightly ered per contract year. This equated to havoc with the cribs and bundled rafts. over 24 hours. an annual revenue of $30,250. It was not unusual in wintertime to That same year, Foss would once To meet the needs of the ever remain at anchor in Neah Bay for a again return to Neah Bay, this time increasing log towing and barging full two-week crewing period waiting with the first Strait rescue tug, the business on the Strait, Foss opened for a break in the weather. 4,300 horsepower Barbara Foss. the Port Angeles office in 1927 — with Crown Zellerbach, a leader in the Editor’s Note: Mike Skalley is the Foss H. F. Berg as office manager, looking pulp and paper industry, was a major company historian and author of “Foss, after the rapidly increasing volume account in Foss’ Juan de Fuca log tow- Ninety Years of Towboating.” of work. Three linehaul tugs (Andrew ing over the years. From the 1930’s Foss, Foss No. 21, Iver Foss) and a har- Foss tugs towed their log cribs out bor tug, the Foss No. 9, were the first of the Sail River and Hoko River to of many Foss tugs to be assigned to Port Angeles and other ports. After

September, 2010 • ALWAYS SAFE • Foss Tow Bitts • 19 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 15551 660 W. Ewing St. Seattle, WA 98119

Peter G. Kim, Total Terminals International TURNING A SHIP TOWARD THE SEA The tugs Wedell Foss, left, and Andrew Foss turn the containership CMA CGM Rabelais in the Seattle harbor on July 21 as the ship departs following its maiden voyage to the port, where it calls at SSA Marine’s Terminal 18. The ship works in a “loop service” that serves the Pacific Northwest, Asia, and the U.S. East Coast. Capable of carrying the equivalent of 6,500 twenty-foot container units, the ship was delivered in early July by Sung Dong Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in Korea. It is 984 feet long and 131 feet in beam. French carrier CMA CGM is the world’s third largest container shipping company.