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October 2017 / volume 30 issue 5

SEALIFT TO RUSSIA Two tugs chartered by Foss move a barge carrying an oil production module toward a development site off the east coast of Russia. A Foss sealift to the site last summer was an enormous effort requiring participation and coordination by nearly every part of the company. Article on page 5.

FOSS MARITIME AND Foss and two of its sister Foss has contracted with the companies, TOTE Maritime and Federal Emergency Management SISTER COMPANIES Tropical Shipping, worked around Agency (FEMA) to provide vessels that JOIN HURRICANE the clock in September and October will serve as “floating hotels,” capable RELIEF EFFORT to assist in the relief effort mounted of feeding and temporarily housing after hurricanes Maria and Irma cut a hundreds of responders. devastating path through Puerto Rico. (Continued on page 4)

always safe • always ready

Looking for New Business: Tilt Your Head a Little Bit, and There It Is

Hurricane Relief By Will Roberts Foss and two sister companies rushed into Chief Commercial Officer to commercial and growth, so action to help relief efforts in the wake of I fall back on the 3 box model. two hurricanes that brought widespread Box 1 – continual improve- devastation to the Caribbean. And in It will take me a minute, another hurricane story, Foss Historian but I’ll get to my point, I ment, is what everyone does Mike Skalley tells a tale of a Foss tug that promise… every day you go to work. You went through a major typhoon in 1968. “Nice to meet you Will, are always trying to make your Cover and Page 18 what do you actually do?...” Will Roberts job and output better and that That is a question I get a lot. It’s a fair is a natural part of being a successful question, and I get it from my friends person and employee (I think). The Mystery of the Bell Box 2 is about dropping and mov- Did a bell presented as a gift to a retiring and family too, so I am getting Customs Service employee in 1922 ever comfortable giving the answer. The ing on from bad business ideas and ring on the tug , which starred in answer is: Box 3 is looking into new areas that the 1933 movie Annie? Sleuths at Our team engages with the cus- will not happen naturally. , the historical group that tomer to grow our business. Our team When you get a bigger team, in this now owns the vessel, are trying to get to the is looking across all our customers, case the Commercial team, together, bottom of the mystery. regions, and market segments to best you see people asking the tough but Page 3 propose our value to our customers simple question — “why are we still to maximize our profitability. Our doing that business?” If you are very A Sealift to Russia Foss last summer completed a sealift to an team uses our customer, region, and focused on your business, sometimes oil development site off the east coast of market data to inform Operations and you don’t lift your head to see if it Russia that involved 13 tugs and required the overall Foss organization on what makes sense. When I was at sea, we participation of nearly every department in assets and business structures are best would run drills where one instrument the company. for our customers. We work with our read incorrectly. It was interesting to Page 5 legal, quality, and health and safety watch three or four people stare at bad teams to weigh our risks and smartly, information and keep on operating. It Hawaiian Rescue boldly grow. I say bold, because the was good to watch someone else walk The tug Moana Holo, operated by Foss into the room from an outside per- subsidiary Young Brothers, Ltd., traveled safest place for boats is tied to the pier, 1,000 nautical miles into the Pacific to but that’s not what boats are supposed spective and say, “Hey, look up guys, rescue a powerless freighter and brought it to do. No-bidding is easy, but you don’t you are missing the other instruments safely back to Hawaii. win work no-bidding. that are telling you a different story.” Page 13 In a tight market (low oil prices, When I joined the company, I aggressive competitors) I like to get heard great stories about our Odoptu a team working together in as flat a project, about our Haiti work, and our manner as possible. When you have a Hurricane Sandy work. Those group of people continually talking to successes led to the teams working To submit articles for Tow Bitts, each other across segments, custom- on our accommodation vessel work please contact Bruce Sherman, editor, ers, and regions you see opportunities. in Puerto Rico and the USVI’s. Relief [email protected], or Sonja You get a lot more “A-ha” moments Services is a Box 3 idea. What we are Baron, coordinator of production, [email protected]. The Tow Bitts graphic when you are open to hearing and see- doing in St Thomas is not a “core designer is Barbara Hoberecht. Tow Bitts ing what others are doing. You also get business,” but all the pieces and parts is published six times a year by Foss an energy from more people trying to are. All you need to do is look at what Maritime for employees, customers and find a new solution. we are good at and tilt your head a friends. Changes to the Tow Bitts mailing Box 1 we do when we wake up every little bit, and there it is… list should be referred to Matt Brown, day, but Box 2 and Box 3… (206) 381-3799 or [email protected]. I am a simple man when it comes

2 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017

Will Sleuths be Able to Solve the Mystery of the Bell? It Might have been Original Equipment on the Arthur Foss

Call it the Arthur Foss Bell Mystery. “Tugboat Annie.” Sleuths at Northwest Seaport, the The Arthur Foss did indeed star in non-profit that owns what is now a the 1933 movie, but it museum vessel, are using historic was by no means the first Foss tug. photographs to try and determine The original owner was the Oregon whether a bell donated to the Railway and Navigation Company, organization in August was ever rung which built the tug in 1889 and named on the tug. it the Wallowa. Foss bought it in The bell was handed over to 1929 and in 1934 renamed it for the Northwest Seaport at the Foss company president, who was one of Customer Appreciation Barbecue in the sons of the founders. in August by Shannon Skinner, Foss retired the tug in 1968 and whose great aunt Mildred Skinner donated it to the non-profit in 1970. Bradt came into possession of the An extensive restoration is now being mystery bell in 1922. planned. Andrew K. Bennett, board president of Northwest Here are the facts as we But back to the bell. Seaport, accepted the ’s bell from Shannon know them: Shannon Skinner said her Skinner. Mildred Skinner Bradt was great aunt was an avid bell collector, executive assistant to the head of who owned hundreds of bells and Although the bell bears no the U.S. Customs Service Seattle was active in the American Bell engravings or other clues that would office. She left the job on the eve of Association. She gave the bell tie it to the tug, Northwest Seaport has her marriage and received the bell to the family of her nephew, an archive of photos of the vessel that as a wedding gift from her boss. Kenneth Skinner (Shannon’s father) might help to solve the mystery. For According to Shannon Skinner, her and the bell hung on the outside of the her part, Shannon Skinner hopes it great aunt told the family that the bell family home for many years. will be a match. was from the “first Foss tug,” which “Mom would call us to dinner with “It needs to go back to where it Mildred said was the star of the movie that Bell,” Shannon said. came from,” she said.

“Mom would call us to dinner with that Bell. It needs to go back to where it came from.” – SHANNON SKINNER

SEATTLE’S NEXT MAYOR? Seattle Mayoral Candidate Jenny Durkan, second from left, stopped by the Foss Industry Appreciation Barbecue in Seattle on Tuesday, August 22, and met here with Saltchuk people who also attended. From left, they are Denise Tabbutt, principal shareholder, Chris Coakley, vice president of government affairs, and Anne Preston, senior vice president, general counsel and chief ethics officer. The barbecue was held at the Foss- operated Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 3 The Ocean Constructor is one of the vessels brought in by Foss to accommodate responders helping with relief efforts in the Caribbean. The 413-foot ship normally works as a multi-purpose subsea construction vessel. AND SISTER COMPANIES JOIN HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS (Continued from the cover) In a separate effort, containerships Foss has deployed a multi- TOTE and Tropical operate liner operated by TOTE and Tropical as disciplinary team to support the container services between Florida and of Sept. 27 had moved more than relief effort, including personnel the Caribbean. 2,750 FEUS (forty foot equivalent from operations, fleet engineering, TOTE worked directly with the containers) of cargo to the Port of project management, safety, marine American Red Cross and FEMA, as San Juan, Puerto Rico, including ice, assurance, supply chain, legal well as various local churches and water, fuel, generators and canned/ and finance. smaller local organizations to prioritize dried food to assist with the short Tim Nolan, President of TOTE the most critical items. TOTE also and long term needs of the island. Maritime Puerto Rico, said brought additional equipment to Will Roberts, Foss chief his company and Tropical “are ensure continuous flow of cargo to the commercial officer, said the company committed to playing a central role island with the upcoming sailings. has the ability and commitment in supporting Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria roared over the to serve a wide range of needs of this time and ensuring that all island of Puerto Rico Sept. 20 as a hurricane victims in Puerto Rico Puerto Ricans have access to basic Category 4 storm, with winds up to 155 and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The necessities such as clean water and miles per hour. It was the strongest company, according to Roberts, is food as the relief and recovery efforts storm to hit Puerto Rico in 85 years, prepared to offer additional services begin.” knocking out power to the entire to FEMA and other federal agencies He added, “Our have island, uprooting trees, destroying throughout the relief efforts. significant capacity and we want to homes and causing widespread “For Foss, this type of project is use our resources to support the flooding. As of early October, at the heart of what we do,” Roberts island. Just one ship can carry the 34 people were reported dead or said. “We are glad to do our part to same amount of goods as nearly missing as a result of the storm. help the families affected by this 2,000 passenger planes — and we Hurricane Irma, also a Category 4 devastating disaster by enlisting the want to make sure every shipment, storm, hit the island on Sept. 7, also skills of our finest operators and every ton, every container counts and leaving a path of destruction. providing needed equipment.” helps the people of Puerto Rico.”

4 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017 Foss Successfully Completes Sealift to Russia; Project Called Example of Company Operating ‘At Highest Levels’

Foss in June completed a major sealift Once that was done, we could bring in the Rob Wagoner was the site manager in to an oilfield development site in Russia, a first barge.” Ulsan, South Korea. project that required support from nearly Shoreside equipment brought in by Foss hired locals as stevedores at the every department in the company. Foss for the project included 19 20-foot offloading site, led by Project Operations This year, Foss used seven tug-barge containers carrying winches, pumps, Specialists Rick Chalker and John Brown, sets and six shallow-draft assist tugs to anchors, welding machines and enough as well as Barge Foreman Mitch Wilson, deliver the client’s cargo. The six shallow other gear to make the team self-sufficient and Bill Wallace. Barge Foreman Anthony draft tugs were led by Foss captains. Three at the remote site. Selfa supported the project in Ulsan as Foss ocean-going tugs participated, the Foss Commercial Manager Leiv Lea and well as Ishikari, Japan, where the barges Michele Foss, Denise Foss and Montana. the Site Manager Capt. Herb Gazeley, with were staged when waiting on ice. The barges and the other four tugs were support from Project Controls Manager Chris Mack Jr. was the assistant project chartered. Melissa Villa, were involved in the project manager as well as project port captain for Foss also chartered two specialized from the start. Financial Analyst Ann the project, and Senior Port Engineer Steve vessels to survey the bay’s entrance and Wilkinson also was a key, back-office player. Tolle was responsible for the chartered channel, and two Russian vessels for “The 2017 campaign is an example of vessels. Foss Mates Arvid Anderson and emergency response. Foss operating at the highest levels to meet Colin Smith acted as safety representatives, Project Manager Art Dahlin said a key our customer’s requirements. We did our and Andrea Mack handled various challenge was delivering the cargo within a best to safely deliver the cargo in perfect logistical and administrative tasks. two-week time window at the end of June, condition while meeting our contractual “Overall, the team successfully between the breakup of the ice in the bay obligations. This is a combination that completed the job at hand,” Dahlin said. and the onset of fog that is prevalent in the creates satisfied customers who have a “The biggest thing is how well Foss worked area during July and August. positive view of Foss,” Lea said. together to get it done. When things got a “We were basically given a date and told The Foss engineering group, Harbor little stressed on the project, the rest of the ‘We want you guys ready,’” Dahlin said. Marine Services, did all the planning for company jumped in to help. It was a full “As soon as the bay was ice free, we sent ballasting the barges and stowing the company effort.” the tugs north to set the navigation buoys. modules. Foss Director of Cargo Operations

THE MARINERS WHO MADE IT HAPPEN IN THIS YEAR’S RUSSIAN PACIFIC SEALIFT Foss mariners manning vessels David Ahrenius, Chief Engineer Foss captains also commanded participating in this year’s Russia James Taylor, Oiler Kenny Jones, Able the six shallow-draft tugs used on the sealift included: Seamen David Jankowski and Randy project. They were: Steve Robertson, • Michele Foss: Capt. Dwaine Deusterman, and Able Seaman/Cook Joseph Tweedie, Pat Miller, Roy Miller, Whitney, Chief Mate Ryan Moore, Ron Wolf. John Wood, Jeff Crooks, Todd Zacke Second Mate David Roy, Chief • Montana: Capt. Tom File, and David Judkins. Engineer Curtis Bartley, Oilers Evan Capt. Scott Culver, Chief Mate Rick Capt. Dan Riser was the on-site port Davis-Hadaway and Jake Hadden, Able Taylor, Second Mate Albert Ursitti, captain and pilot for every barge that Seamen Katie Davis and Rob Robison Chief Engineer Bill Dubay, Engineer was delivered to the site. and Able Seaman/Cook Gary Trupiano. John Aproda, Able Seamen Mereidi • Denise Foss: Capt. Glen McVicker, Liebner and Dave McCullough, and Chief Mate Mike Mann, Second Mate Able Seaman/Cook Thomas Judd.

Foss mariners, shoreside personnel and representatives of other companies that participated in this summer’s effort off the coast of eastern Russia gathered for a photo.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 5

SAFETY CORNER | Rushing is a Natural State for Many of Us, But It’s Also a Major Cause of Accidents

By Grant Johnson for completing tasks. Rushing often l A ‘time is money’ Vice President, Health, Safety, takes the form of deviating from attitude Quality and Environment established procedures, skipping steps, l Job insecurity Grant Johnson utilizing the wrong tools for the job l The drive to work Rushing is one of the four or not using the required number of quickly most common attributes that personnel to get the job done. l Belief that the proce- contribute to on-the-job Employees are statistically dures and/or safety accidents (the others being six times more likely to requirements are excessive frustration, fatigue, and DON’T experience an accident l Being unaware of the safety complacency). Rushing or injury as a result of hazards associated with a task is a natural state for many RUSH unsafe behaviors, such as l The frequent or repetitive nature of us — we rush to catch rushing, than from unsafe of tasks leading to complacency in the bus, to pick up our kids, to working conditions. This is following safety procedures get home to catch the game and, strange, if you think about it, as l Actively decide to ignore safety unfortunately, far too often at work we we have more to fear from our own rules (non-compliance) rush to get the job done. actions than from any other job hazard How do we combat this real or Is it simply human nature to around us. inferred sense of urgency? We must, want to complete a task as quickly Some of the various reasons we at all levels of the organization, as possible? Are the demands of sometimes take shortcuts include communicate continuously that our jobs causing us to inadvertently being in a rush to get the job done ‘Always Safe’ includes not rushing act unsafely? Are we inferring that due to: and adhering to our established our supervisor or employer wants l Organizational deadlines procedures. Regardless of what role us to place schedule ahead of safety l Meeting a quota/prioritizing we play in Foss’ success we are all if necessary? Are we attempting to production leaders and need to be careful not to impress our supervisor with our level l Running behind schedule send mixed messages like “thanks for of production? l Getting non-functioning taking care of that so quickly” where it Unfortunately rushing can lead equipment up and running might be construed that completion of to reduced quality of workmanship l Changes in the organization or a task is more important than safety. and increases the likelihood of not job roles Remember, there is no shortcut following our established procedures to safety.

SELLING SAFETY Safety vendors displayed face shields, goggles gloves and other products recently at Foss Customer Appreciation Barbecues in Tacoma and Seattle. Displaying their wares at the Tacoma gathering were, from left, Mario Salcedo of Honeywell, Todd Rosencrans of Pacific Crest Sales Group, and Dick Zugschwerdt, Mark Hastings and Shannon Brookhart of National Safety.

6 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017

Rainsberger Honored at Governor’s Conference; Cochran Places again in Forklift Rodeo

Safety colleagues Receiving the paid tribute to the late posthumous service-award Al Rainsberger at the plaques at a luncheon Governor’s Industrial Safety attended by several hundred and Health Conference in people at the Tacoma Tacoma in September and Convention Center were presented plaques to his two daughters Amanda and daughters in recognition of Alycia Rainsberger. Other his 20 years of service to the members of his family also organization. Al Rainsberger attended the event. Rainsberger, the director Also at the luncheon, Foss of health and safety at Foss, died Shipyard forklift driver Ron Cochran Al Rainsberger’s daughters, Amanda, left, and unexpectedly in July. He had been received an award for finishing in Alycia, displayed the plaques they received to chairman of the Materials Handling second place in the state finals of honor their late father’s service. Presenting the Committee of the governor’s safety the rodeo competition, in which awards were Mark Ribich and Nikki Cross, who group since the committee was started participants perform lifts and moves worked with Rainsberger on the Materials 20 years ago. while negotiating an obstacle course. Handling Committee. The committee organizes the Cochran is a perennial favorite Forklift Rodeo held annually in to place in the contest. He has been conjunction with the conference, and competing in the rodeo every Rainsberger was said to be the primary year since 2008, making the finals force behind the event. every year and winning the “He was on the phone, he was on championship twice. the computer, he was always pushing it,” said Mark Ribich, a retired Boeing At right: Foss Seattle Shipyard forklift driver worker who worked with Rainsberger Ron Cochran displays the plaque he won for on the committee. “It was incredible placing second in this year’s state Forklift Rodeo working with Al. He was the glue that championship. With him is Joe Camacho, a held the rodeo together.” member of the Materials Handling Committee.

HALF A FERRY The tugs Henry Foss and Pacific Knight recently moved the superstructure of the new State Ferry Suquamish from Jesse Engineering in Tacoma, where it was built, to Vigor Shipyard in Seattle, where it was joined with the hull section. The $122 million Suquamish is the last of four 144-car “Olympic class” ferries being added to the state’s fleet.

Chris Mack Jr. October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 7

Paul Gallagner TERMINAL 5 DISCHARGE The heavy-lift ship BBC Ruby was assisted out of the Foss-operated Terminal 5 in Seattle recently by the tug Henry Foss, above, after the ship discharged a container of subsea cable, below, for a project in the San Juan Islands. The deck cargo included windmill blades, for discharge elsewhere. The 502-foot ship is rated as a multi-purpose heavy lifter, and its two main cranes have a capacity of 400 metric tons each. The cable weighed in at 229 metric tons.

8 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017

Mike Erwin ASSISTING A FAMED SQUARE RIGGER The Foss Tugs Point Vicente, in the photo, and Point Fermin recently assisted the three-masted, square rigged ship Balclutha out of dry dock at Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, Calif. Built in 1886, the 301-foot steel hulled ship is operated as a museum vessel by the National Park Service and is normally berthed at the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. The historic ship, built in Scotland, underwent extensive maintenance at the shipyard, including sand- blasting and painting of its hull, both above and below the waterline. Also, the foremast, main mast and mizzenmast yard arms were removed for repairs and paint preservation.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 9 FOSS 300 BACK IN ACTION

Major maintenance for historic derrick, and then it goes back to work in Seattle

he venerable, steam-powered floating derrick Foss 300 under- T went its first drydocking in 7 years at Foss Seattle Shipyard in September. Work included replacing about 20 percent of the steel bottom plate, some structural steel work, turret maintenance and odds and ends including washing and painting. Soon thereafter, the derrick was at work lifting an 85,000-pound, 188-foot-long bridge from its Park crossing site in Seattle. Moving the bridge is enabling the City of Seattle to repair one of the bridge abutments. The floating crane, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, is one of the oldest steam-powered derricks on the West Coast.

1. Above: The Foss 300 floating derrick, in drydock at Foss Shipyard in Seattle.

2. Below: Welder Nery Barrientos works on the hull of the 3. Below: Hard-hatted workers rig the historic barge crane. Bridge for the lift.

10 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017 1. Above: The Foss 300 floating derrick, in drydock at Foss Shipyard in Seattle. 4. Above: The bridge rises over the lake as the Foss 300 lifts it from its abutments. Note the Space Needle in the left background.

5. Below: The floating crane sets the bridge down on the pier. John Tarabochia, left, supervised the job for Foss.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 11

Rick Wilson BRINGING IN THE SBX-1 The Barbara Foss led the way and the Foss tugs Mikioi and Pi’ilani joined in an assist of the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX-1) into Pearl Harbor recently following a nine-month deployment. The SBX-1 is a self-propelled, early-warning radar station designed to operate in high wind and heavy seas and is part of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System. In the photo below, the mammoth radar vessel towers over the Mikioi.

12 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017

Heavy Lift Ship Rescued 1,000 miles from Honolulu

Rick Wilson The Moana Holo leads the way, bringing the Ocean Crescent into Honolulu. The harbor tug Mikioi is on the bow.

The ocean-going tug Moana Holo, Honolulu required 7, for a total of professional.” He also said that Smit operated by Foss subsidiary Young 11 days. Salvage, for whom Young Brothers Brothers, Ltd., traveled 1,000 nautical Rick Wilson, Young Brothers performed the job, “was very happy.” miles from its homeport of Honolulu marine operations manager, said In command of the tug was Capt. in August to rescue a heavy-lift ship the job went well, partly because the David Judkins. Also on the crew were that lost power during a voyage from weather wasn’t too rough and also First Mate Lundie Fleming, Second Long Beach to Guam. because the ship never lost electrical Mate Edwin Claunch. Chief Engineer Rick Wilson The ship was the Ocean Crescent, power, enabling its crew to hoist Jacob Rosenberg, Able Seaman David a U.S.-flagged freighter 394 feet in the tow gear with their own deck McShane and Able Seaman/Cook Gary length. The northwesterly trip to the machinery. Trupianao. stricken vessel took four days, and Wilson also credited the Moana the return trip with the ship in tow to Holo’s crew, noting, “They were very

MOANA MEANS OCEAN The Voith tractor tug Pacific Escort, recently re-assigned from the to Hawaii, was renamed the Moana recently in a traditional Hawaiian blessing performed by Chaplain Brian Kaunaloa Boshard of the Kamehameha Schools. “Moana” is the Hawaiian word for “ocean.” The 94-foot, 3,000 horsepower, ship- assist tug was built in 1983 at Tacoma Boatbuilding, part of the first series of Voith-powered Foss tugs.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 13

Moving Rig by Barge in Arctic Proves Efficient and Fast

The Emmett Foss with a barge loaded with drill rig components.

The shallow-draft tug Emmett Foss The customer on the job was “(Todd) was also an example of overcame wind-driven tides and low Hilcorp, one of the largest privately what a professional seaman and water in August to successfully barge a held oil and natural gas exploration captain should be…I would not mobile oil rig from a Hilcorp property and production companies in the hesitate to sail with him anywhere,” east of Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North United States. Foss’ joint-venture Jackson wrote in an email to Slope to a drilling site on Endicott partner was HDR Marine, which Roney “John Brown…experience is Island, about 42 miles by tug. specializes in crew transport to remote everything. I thoroughly enjoyed It was the first time a tug-barge areas of Alaska. working with him and have the combination had been used for the Foss delivered the rig in four round utmost respect for his knowledge and relatively short trip to the island, trips, each taking seven to 10 hours, professionalism.” which is accessible by road. But Foss between August 9 and August 18. He added that Roney’s leadership Project Manager Peter Roney said the The five major components of the rig “was instrumental in making this over-the-water move proved faster and weighed between 200 tons and 430 happen. Looking forward to working more efficient than using trucks. tons, and there were 10 smaller pieces. with you until completion of this “It was fun to be a part of this as Roney directed praise to Barge project.” it had never been done,” Roney said. Master John Brown and Emmett Foss The mobile drilling rig was “And it was a good one for Foss and Capt. Todd Zacke for executing the job originally delivered to the North Slope our joint venture partner to get our safely and successfully in challenging from Vancouver, Wash., by the Denise feet on the ground up there.” conditions. Hilcorp’s James Jackson Foss and barge American Trader also complimented the Foss team. last year.

“It was fun to be a part of this as it had never been done. And it was a good one for Foss and our joint venture partner to get our feet on the ground up there.”

– PETER RONEY

14 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017

WHATCOM CHIEF IN DRYDOCK The 94-foot ferry Whatcom Chief was drydocked at Foss Shipyard in Seattle in September for annual maintenance. The ferry, which can carry up to 18 vehicles and 100 passengers, is operated by Whatcom County between Lummi Island and a terminal north of Bellingham. In the photo at left, shipyard craftsman Tom Johnson unwinds the nut securing one of the ferry’s propellers.

YARD WORK Josh Emmons, left, and Alex Zhuravel lowered the Andrew Foss’s mast recently for maintenance at the Foss Seattle Shipyard. Another photo of the Andrew, with the Garth Foss in the background, appears on the back page.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 15

FOSS PROFILE

New Line Service Superintendent Says Maritime Industry is ‘In My Blood’

TJ Johnson was formerly a customer service representative in .

Meet Terrence “TJ” Johnson, a new Lilly International. Pacific Northwest that I love.” superintendent for Foss Line Service, “I was down in Tacoma waiting for Line Services Manager Brian the Foss Maritime division whose one of those car ships to come in, and Goodwin said, “I believe coming employees tie up and release ships at my good friend Dan Ryles (also a line from a Foss customer service ports. superintendent) told me Foss would position is a huge advantage for TJ’s Johnson is the product of a be hiring dispatchers in Portland,” transition into the role of Line Service maritime family. His brothers are in Johnson said. “He kept me posted and superintendent. TJ takes safety and the industry, as was his father, who six months after that I put my hat in customer satisfaction very seriously, as managed grain terminals in Seattle the ring and got the job.” does the rest of our team.” and Tacoma until his retirement. He started working as a customer In his spare time, Johnson, 36 “It’s kind of in my blood,” Johnson service representative (formerly and a bachelor, likes to golf, play said. called a dispatcher) in Portland in other sports and cards, and he A native of western Washington, June of 2016 and became a line enjoys fishing. Johnson moved south to attend superintendent in June of this year. “I’m always up for anything,” he Arizona State University, and worked “It was an easy transition for me,” said. “My motto is, “Life is good.’” in restaurant management before Johnson said. “I know the docks and returning to the Northwest I know most of the people, and I was to become a ship agent for Norton moving home to the family and the

“I believe coming from a Foss customer service position is a huge advantage for TJ’s transition into the role of Line Service superintendent. TJ takes safety and customer satisfaction very seriously, as does the rest of our team.” – BRIAN GOODWIN

16 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017

Wolf began his career at Foss as a dispatcher in Everett 32 years ago

By Hilary Reeves

Chris Wolf joined Foss Maritime as a dispatcher in 1984. “I’ll never forget my interview with Steve Scalzo,” he said, referring to a former Foss president. “I made a commitment that I was in for the long haul if he was willing to take the chance. We’ve jointly fulfilled that bargain for more than 30 years.” Based in Seattle, Wolf was appoint- ed to lead the company’s expanded and renamed Fleet Monitoring Center (FMC) in Portland. He began his career in his hometown of Lake Stevens, about an hour north, at his father’s Chevron service station. “I like to think that working there instilled a strong work ethic and com- Chris Wolf in the lobby of the new Fleet Monitoring Center. mitment to customer service that translated across my career and into line. He became involved when the heart in December of 1968 – the credit my current role,” he said. opportunity presented to consolidate for our long marriage goes to her,” he Wolf later spent 13 years at the Scott the company’s dispatch departments laughed. “Our family is a great source Paper Co. as a consumer representa- from four regional locations to a of love, humor, and pride. If I could tive and production supervisor. Then central entity in Portland. do or be anything else it would be to came Foss, and his job as a dispatcher A large wall of screens can be split be a better husband, father and grand- in Everett. to highlight information or service father, and person in general.” The FMC expanded the company’s areas, or combined to show detail of But Wolf said he has few regrets: service offerings at its Portland termi- specific geographies. “I just wished I’d learned much nal and dispatch center to include a “We chose the Portland location earlier in life that despite what I may 24/7 call center staffed by profession- because it was an underutilized facil- have thought, nearly all decisions als able to quickly pull up a vessel’s ity with the capacity for growth,” he impact others.” location, route, and the latest weather said. “Once our plans were announced His plans for the future are as they conditions. The center supports Foss’ internally, a group of visionary lead- were 32 years ago. international fleet of tugs and marine ers at Saltchuk and Foss looked for “I want to fulfill the commitment I assets — as well as the maritime fleets ways to extend the business value made to (Scalzo) and Foss Maritime all of sister companies TOTE Services and of the investment. The scope of our those years ago. I’m in it for the long- Tropical Shipping. The FMC opened mission was expanded to include our haul. I wish everyone could know how on June 1, 2016. sister companies, TOTE and Tropical. serious Saltchuk and Foss Maritime “After a few bumps in the road last There’s little to limit the potential are about getting their employees spring, our overall success has been of future services that the center home safely to their families. The good, especially given the scope of could provide, both internally and center is simply one more manifesta- the project,” Wolf said. “Any success externally.” tion of that commitment, and an even we’ve experienced so far is a tribute to When Wolf isn’t supervising the bigger fulfillment of that vision into the folks in the seats down there: our daily operations of the FMC, he’s the future.” watchstanders. The credit goes spending time with his wife of 47 Editor’s Note: This article appeared to them.” years, and their two sons and two originally in the web magazine, People Wolf said the FMC is a project grandchildren. of Saltchuk. beginning a journey that has no finish “I married my high-school sweet-

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 17 THE LOOK AFT Foss Tug and Crew Made a Lucky and Harrowing Escape From a 150-knot Pacific Typhoon on the Way to Guam

By Mike Skalley In February of 1968 Foss Launch & Tug Co. was awarded a tow of the Navy drydock, AFDM No. 6, from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton to the U.S. Naval base at Apra Harbor, Guam, some 5,000 miles distant. The drydock measured 488 feet in length, 124 feet in beam with a height of 76 feet. Thus, on February 25 the 5,000 horsepower Henry Foss and her 12-man crew under command of vet- eran Foss captain, Tauno Salo began what should have been a routine tow estimated to take between 45 and 50 days. Fast forward ahead to April 7. The Henry and drydock have made good progress across the Pacific Ocean. They are 450 miles northeast of Guam with an ETA of daylight April 13. The tradewinds have continued out of the Northeast at 30-35 knots. However, The Henry Foss with the barge AFDM No. 6 in tow. also on April 7, Tropical Storm Jean forms near the Caroline Islands, 600 from the typhoon at its closest point way. At 0545 they reported the miles south of the position of the of approach. However as the day barometer had been falling “like a Henry. The Foss office in Seattle noti- progressed, Typhoon Jean moved on rock” and was down to 28.20. The fies the Henry of its formation and more of a northwesterly path than pre- tug’s anemometer had been holding at speed via single side-band radio. dicted. With the drydock pulling the its limit of 120 knots for over an hour. Each day the tropical storm Henry backward there was no evasive Captain Salo reported via single side- increased in intensity as it journeyed action that could be taken and still band radio to another Foss tug operat- northward toward the Mariana Islands. maintain the tow. ing to the north near Japan that they At noon on April 9, the Henry reported During the day the barometer kept were holding their own. The rain and their winds increased to 40 to 50 falling and the wind and seas contin- sea were being blown sideways in a knots with a moderately heavy swell. ued to increase. By 2200 the wind was horizontal line, and the only way to see By 0900 on April 10 the wind began Northeast 65-75 with a heavy swell and more than a few feet was to shine the gusting to 60 knots, and with the driving rain. At 0115 on April 11, the tug’s searchlight into the maelstrom. force of the wind the drydock pulled strain of the towline sheared the port Suddenly at 0730 the wind ceased the Henry around so they were head- tow pin and broke the 1 ¼-inch hold- and the sun came out. The crew ing into the wind. The force of the down line. At 0245 the barometer had realized they had entered the eye of wind on the drydock was now pulling dropped to 29.25 and the wind was Typhoon Jean. The barometer had the Henry backward at 2-3 knots. northerly at 85 with gusts to 100. A bottomed out at 27.55 inches. The The first warning that the tropical few minutes later the tow wire parted, seas were “mountainous,” and there storm had intensified to a typhoon and the drydock went adrift. was no direction to them. They built came from Navy Port Control in The Henry and its crew, now freed into high peaks and crested in every Guam, when they reported the from the cumbersome drydock, went direction so it was impossible to steer typhoon was expected to pass 240 into survival mode. They changed around them. They were rolling heav- miles East of Guam. Capt. Salo esti- course to put the wind on their port ily, and the lack of wind was very eerie. mated that they would be 100 miles side and hove to with bare steerage- However the respite was short lived. (Continued on next page) 18 • Foss Tow Bitts • ALWAYS SAFE • October, 2017 As they neared the eyewall, the roar of condition 450 miles North of Guam. both lifeboats, lost antennas on the wind could be heard and at 0915 It had been pushed by Typhoon Jean radios, shorted out radios, radar, the winds were slamming them at a some 300 miles in 48 hours. After running lights, hot water heater and continued 120 knots with higher gusts. two days of repairs the Henry headed gyro. Cracked two windows and broke By 1300 the wind began to ease off, out to retrieve the drydock and one out. Things a heck of a mess. and at 1530 they were able to increase successfully delivered it to Navy base Water all over inside and out. No speed and change course to make an in Apra Harbor on April 22. After a communication with anyone after attempt to search for the drydock. few additional days of repairs, the coming out of the eye. Attempting to After several hours of fruitless search- Henry and her intrepid crew headed find drydock is like trying to find a ing they headed for Guam to make for Hiroshima, Japan to tow an needle in a haystack.” emergency repairs to their electronics offshore drilling platform to Cook The Henry Foss and its crew were and windows. They also discovered Inlet, Alaska. extremely lucky to have survived this that the outside paint on the tug had The comments on the official harrowing ride. The story of their trip been peeled off as though they had log sheet written by Capt. Salo for through the “eye” was later published been through sandblasting. Twenty- April 11 say it all. “Got caught by in the Mariners Weather Log for 1968. four hours later the Henry was safely Typhoon Jean. Lost tow due to high Editor’s Note: Mike Skalley is the tied up in Guam and Navy search winds and seas — went through the retired billing manager of Foss and is the planes began the search for AFDM No. eye of the typhoon with estimated company historian. He has written 6. It was spotted in apparently good winds gusting to 150 knots. Stove in several books about the company.

TOWBOAT INVITATIONAL Foss and Sause Bros., based in Coos Bay, Ore., once again sponsored the Towboat Invitational golf tournament, held this year on July 10 at the Newcastle Golf and Country Club outside of Seattle. The tournament, for employees, customers, vendors and friends of the two companies, raised $283,000 for Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwestern Oregon. Each golfer was given a baseball bat engraved with the sponsors’ names and logos. In the photo from left are Jeff Horst and Monte Crowley of Foss and Julie Woodman and Erin McClanahan of Sause.

October, 2017 • ALWAYS READY • Foss Tow Bitts • 19 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 937 1151 Fairview Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109

LINED UP AT THE SHIPYARD The tractor tug Andrew Foss, foreground, and the enhanced tractor tug Garth Foss were lined up at Foss Shipyard in Seattle recently. Both tugs underwent some steel repairs and other work, and the Garth’s Voith blade seals were renewed. Anther photo of work on the Andrew appears on page 15.