Drydocks

[SS Shasta]

How many working drydocks are available on Puget Sound these days? I understand that Todds is the only yard that can handle the five largest WSF's. Just wondering if the Bellingham dock can handle the others? I noticed that AMHS MV Aurora was in the Bellingham dock in December. She might still be there as she is having a major overhaul this winter. What about Lake Union?

Perhaps they should send a vessel or two up here? It might be quite a ride across Queen Charlotte Sound ;D. The MV Taku was in the Ketchikan drydock the last time I looked.

[EGfleet]

shasta said:

How many working drydocks are available on Puget Sound these days? I understand that Todds is the only yard that can handle the five largest WSF's. Just wondering if the Bellingham dock can handle the others? I noticed that AMHS MV Aurora was in the Bellingham dock in December. She might still be there as she is having a major overhaul this winter. What about Lake Union?

Perhaps they should send a vessel or two up here? It might be quite a ride across Queen Charlotte Sound ;D. The MV Taku was in the Ketchikan drydock the last time I looked.

Todd, Lake Union, Bellingham, Dakota Creek.
Those are the only ones I can think of. And Lake Union is limited by the canal as to what ferries they can get in there. The Supers have about six inches of clearance on each side, and in order to get the Issaquahs in they have to flood the holds on one side and tilt them so they can clear the canal. I don't think an Issaquah has been in there since LUDD redid the Kitsap's interior.

They wouldn't take a ferry up to Alaska. If they won't take one to Portland, there sure as heck wouldn't take one up to Alaska.

[zman]

Foss (Ballard) has a couple of smaller drydocks.

[whidbeyislandguy]

Yes but those indeed are small.

[SS Shasta]

evergreenfleet said:

They wouldn't take a ferry up to Alaska. If they won't take one to Portland, there sure as heck wouldn't take one up to Alaska.

Ahhhhhhh.........but the MV Leschi, MV Vashon, and MV Defiance all made it, but just didn't make it back. MV Kitsap tried, but didn't make it. Only the MV Kalakala made it back after a much delayed return. Actually MV Defiance made the trip several, if not many times.

[EGfleet]

shasta said:

evergreenfleet said:

They wouldn't take a ferry up to Alaska. If they won't take one to Portland, there sure as heck wouldn't take one up to Alaska.

Ahhhhhhh.........but the MV Leschi, MV Vashon, and MV Defiance all made it, but just didn't make it back. MV Kitsap tried, but didn't make it. Only the MV Kalakala made it back after a much delayed return. Actually MV Defiance made the trip several, if not many times.

Moot point.
Again, if the state isn't even considering Portland, which is considerably closer, they're not even entertaining the idea of Alaska as even a remote possibility.

Although speaking of drydock space, looks like Everett is getting one:

Todd to Buy Shipyard in Everett

Todd Shipyards Corp. announced Monday that it will buy the assets of Everett Shipyard Inc. for an undisclosed amount.

Seattle-based Todd (NYSE: TOD), which operates Todd Pacific Shipyards, will continue to run the Everett shipyard through a subsidiary.

The Everett yard does mostly pierside work for Washington State Ferries and other customers at two facilities in the Port of Everett north of Seattle, while Todd Pacific performs drydock repairs in Seattle for customers ranging from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to large commercial shipowners.

"Basically, this will not have any effect on the work of Todd Pacific Shipyards or on that of the Everett shipyard," said Todd General Counsel Mike Marsh. "It's just basically an ownership change."

Todd is acquiring the Everett yard from longtime owners the Eitel family, Marsh said. The transaction includes capital funds to purchase and improve a 1,000-ton dry dock that was recently added to the Everett firm's operations, allowing Everett to compete in a broader market of marine repair and overhaul opportunities.

The transaction is expected to close Feb. 15, pending various conditions, including the consent of the landlord Port of Everett. The Everett facilities will continue to operate with the present employees and as a union yard, Todd officials said, without changes in the collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 104, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 1184.

[ferrytraveller]

If there was drydock space in BC, could WSF's send a ship to get work done in BC?
Also does anyone know how many shipyards in BC have drydocks or can build new vessels?

[EGfleet]

ferrytraveller said:

If there was drydock space in BC, could WSF's send a ship to get work done in BC?
Also does anyone know how many shipyards in BC have drydocks or can build new vessels?

That was in one of the articles posted a while back...they allegedly contacted all the yards in B.C. Everyone was booked.

[SS San Mateo]

According to one article, the only yards that have drydocks big enough are Todd and Dakota Creek. The other yards (AK-WA, Lockheed, Tacoma Boat) with drydocks big enough have long since gone out of business.

[ferrytraveller]

oh wow, only 2 shipyards with drydocks?
how many shipyards are in washington, in total?

[Barnacle]

Major shipyards like Todd, or Mom-and-Pop affairs like Lovric's Sea-Craft in Anacortes?

Minors, there are an assortment but can largely be discounted. Majors, let's see:

Todd SY, Seattle-Elliott Bay (only yard capable of drydocking Jumbo class)
Dakota Creek, anacortes (Supers & smaller in drydock; Rhody & Hiyu can be accomodated by Synchro-lift)
Lake Union Drydock, Seattle-Lake Union (unknown drydock/haulout capacity; any vessels must enter Ballard Locks)
Martinac, Tacoma-Commencement Bay (no drydock facilities)
Foss SY, Seattle-Ballard Ship Canal (drydock only capable of tuboat-and-smaller, AFAIK)
Everett Shipyard, Everett-Port Gardner Bay [joining Foss Inc. in February, pending PoE approval] (no drydock facilities)
Nichols Brothers SY, Whidbey Island [currently in financial difficulties] (unknown drydock/haulout capacity)

[chokai]

Does anyone know much about the Portland yards? I know of none other than Cascade General, but know they could handle any WSF boat in thier big dock.

Has any Portland yard ever worked on a WSF boat? I'd imagine that transit issues aside they'd probably like to work with someone familiar if possible.

At this point though perhaps we should paint a few boats gray park them in Bremerton rather than Eagle and see if we can trick the Navy yard. ;-)

[SS Shasta]

barnacle said:

Major shipyards like Todd, or Mom-and-Pop affairs like Lovric's Sea-Craft in Anacortes?

Minors, there are an assortment but can largely be discounted. Majors, let's see:

Todd SY, Seattle-Elliott Bay (only yard capable of drydocking Jumbo class)
Dakota Creek, anacortes (Supers & smaller in drydock; Rhody & Hiyu can be accomodated by Synchro-lift)
Lake Union Drydock, Seattle-Lake Union (unknown drydock/haulout capacity; any vessels must enter Ballard Locks)
Martinac, Tacoma-Commencement Bay (no drydock facilities)
Foss SY, Seattle-Ballard Ship Canal (drydock only capable of tuboat-and-smaller, AFAIK)
Everett Shipyard, Everett-Port Gardner Bay [joining Foss Inc. in February, pending PoE approval] (no drydock facilities)
Nichols Brothers SY, Whidbey Island [currently in financial difficulties] (unknown drydock/haulout capacity)

Could the Bellingham dock handle WSF's? I have seen several AMHS vessels in drydock there over the years. I also saw a Super there, but not in drydock, although she might have been earlier.

[EGfleet]

shasta said:

barnacle said:

Major shipyards like Todd, or Mom-and-Pop affairs like Lovric's Sea-Craft in Anacortes?

Minors, there are an assortment but can largely be discounted. Majors, let's see:

Todd SY, Seattle-Elliott Bay (only yard capable of drydocking Jumbo class)
Dakota Creek, anacortes (Supers & smaller in drydock; Rhody & Hiyu can be accomodated by Synchro-lift)
Lake Union Drydock, Seattle-Lake Union (unknown drydock/haulout capacity; any vessels must enter Ballard Locks)
Martinac, Tacoma-Commencement Bay (no drydock facilities)
Foss SY, Seattle-Ballard Ship Canal (drydock only capable of tuboat-and-smaller, AFAIK)
Everett Shipyard, Everett-Port Gardner Bay [joining Foss Inc. in February, pending PoE approval] (no drydock facilities)
Nichols Brothers SY, Whidbey Island [currently in financial difficulties] (unknown drydock/haulout capacity)

Could the Bellingham dock handle WSF's? I have seen several AMHS vessels in drydock there over the years. I also saw a Super there, but not in drydock, although she might have been earlier.

I think I saw the Kaleetan in drydock there once...I'll have to check my photos.

[Barnacle]

Bellingham... shoot. Last time I was there was in 1997, and I was on a 208' ocean-going tug. I think the drydock we were in was about 80 feet longer than we were, so 310'ish... hazy memories are a pain sometimes. They might be able to accomodate something larger; I no longer recall. Any Whatcom-dwellers tuned in to this conversation?

[EGfleet]

chokai said:

Does anyone know much about the Portland yards? I know of none other than Cascade General, but know they could handle any WSF boat in thier big dock.

Has any Portland yard ever worked on a WSF boat? I'd imagine that transit issues aside they'd probably like to work with someone familiar if possible.

At this point though perhaps we should paint a few boats gray park them in Bremerton rather than Eagle and see if we can trick the Navy yard. ;-)

Someone on one of the Kitsap Sun blogs brought up PSNS for drydock use and it seems they are full, at least according to the poster.

The only vessel I can think of that has been in Portland is the Hiyu--and she was built there. I can't remember ever hearing of a WSF vessel going to Portland for work.

[Low Light Mike]

Here's some news:
seattlepi.nwsource.com:80/local/6420ap_wa_shipyard_purchase.html

=========================
Todd Shipyards agrees to buy Everett Shipyard
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE -- Todd Shipyards Corp. said Monday it has agreed to buy the assets of Everett Shipyard Inc. and plans to keep the Everett company's current president and union work force.

No purchase price was disclosed.

Everett Shipyard has built a strong business in maintaining state ferries.

"I'm ecstatic," said Kevin Quigley, Everett Shipyard's president and a former state representative. The companies will continue to be separate, competing entities, but Quigley said he expects the deal will expand the opportunities available for Everett Shipyard, which recently moved to a new location at the Port of Everett with several acres of land and deepwater port access.

It also recently purchased a 1,000-ton drydock. Todd's statement said the transaction includes money to improve the drydock, allowing Everett to compete in a broader market of marine repair and overhaul.

Todd added that the new subsidiary, to be called Everett Ship Repair & Drydock, will continue to operate as a union yard in accordance with an existing labor agreement and that the new entity intends to employ the current work force.

During the past five years, Everett Shipyard has won a string of contracts to do $47 million worth of work on state ferries. Quigley said he recently won the bid for some work on the state ferry Hyak and expects the boat to arrive soon in Everett.

Todd Shipyards Corp. has operated shipyards in the U.S. since 1916. Its subsidiary, Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, performs a substantial amount of repair and maintenance work on commercial and federal government vessels. It also provides new construction and industrial fabrication services for a variety of customers. Customers include the Navy, the Coast Guard, NOAA, the state ferry system and the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Todd and Everett do not generally compete for the same contracts, Todd said.

The two hope to close the deal Feb. 15. Several conditions remain to be satisfied, including the consent of the Port of Everett, Todd said.
---
Information from: The Herald, www.heraldnet.com
============

[ferrytraveller]

Well a 2008 drydock directory i came across says these are the haul out capabilities of some of the below listed ship yards:

I have NorthLake Shipyard too. Dry Docks : 1,900 t ; 1,200 t

Todd SY, Seattle-Elliott Bay (only yard capable of drydocking Jumbo class)

Dakota Creek, anacortes (Supers & smaller in drydock; Rhody & Hiyu can be accomodated by Synchro-lift)
Dry dock: 9,922 t , synchrolift: 5,000 t

Lake Union Drydock, Seattle-Lake Union (unknown drydock/haulout capacity; any vessels must enter Ballard Locks)

Martinac, Tacoma-Commencement Bay (no drydock facilities)

Foss SY, Seattle-Ballard Ship Canal (drydock only capable of tuboat-and-smaller, AFAIK) Floating
Drydock: 1,000 t , 2,000 t

Everett Shipyard, Everett-Port Gardner Bay [joining Foss Inc. in February, pending PoE approval]
Drydock : 1,000 t (Just bought)

Nichols Brothers SY, Whidbey Island [currently in financial difficulties] (unknown drydock/haulout capacity)
Railway : 500 t and 1,200 t

Other companies i found with drydock facilities (if they can be used by WSF) that would only be large enough (in terms of tonnage) to drydock the Rhody, Hiyu, Skagit, Kalama, MV Chinook, MV Snohomish. They are:

Hansen Boat Co. Floating Dry dock : 860 t
Fits boats: 140ft length, 48 foot beam (only the Skagit, Kalama fit for sure, maybe in a pinch the MV Chinook, MV Snohomish)

Foss Rainer Shipyard : Marine Way : 650 t
Fits 100ft. Length (Too small for WSF Boats)

Port of Port Angeles Marine : Marine Way 200 t
Fits: 100 foot length, 25ft. beam (too small for WSF boats)

[SS San Mateo]

barnacle said:

Bellingham... shoot. Last time I was there was in 1997, and I was on a 208' ocean-going tug. I think the drydock we were in was about 80 feet longer than we were, so 310'ish... hazy memories are a pain sometimes. They might be able to accomodate something larger; I no longer recall. Any Whatcom-dwellers tuned in to this conversation?

I found the following link while searching for info on this drydock:

www.pugliaengineering.com/bellServices2.html

Drydock is 389' long with a 3,200 ton capacity.

I found a pic of the drydock..

www.kayakcam.com/image/gallery-drydock.jpg

It's hard to tell, but I wonder if the drydock is wide enough for any WSF vessels.

[ferrytraveller]

well it would need to be a minimum 74' beam inside the dry dock and that would allow 6" of clearance on either side to dock the evergreen state class or the super class in it.

They also have a 600 T marine rail way

[Barnacle]

shasta said:

Ahhhhhhh.........but the MV Leschi and MV Vashon, all made it, but just didn't make it back. MV Kitsap tried, but didn't make it.

I missed this one earlier, too... what makes you think WSF would be interested in using drydock space that far away if we don't get the boats back?

[BreannaF]

Just for the record -- Portland drydocks:

Cascade General's two drydocks are described here: www.casgen.com/profile/portland_shipyard/index.htm

Other than that, there are no other drydocks in the area (unless I'm really missing something) that would be suitable for any of WSF's auto ferries. (Well, the Hiyu might fit into one of the others in the Columbia, but who cares.)

And...... we still miss the larger one that the Port of Portland practically gave away a bunch of years ago. And the jobs that went with it. Some guy named Thorne was port director at the time.

[Barnacle]

Useful bugger, wasn't he? I hear he nearly destroyed WSF as well and is in fact partially responsible for their current boondoggle... 8)

[Low Light Mike]

seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/349706_nicholsbros02.html
========

Sale of Nichols Bros. Boat Builders approved
Whidbey company plans to rehire 100
By DAN RICHMAN
P-I REPORTER

A federal bankruptcy court on Friday approved the $9.1 million purchase of bankrupt Nichols Bros. Boat Builders, South Whidbey Island's largest employer.

The sale to Ice Flow LLC, backed by a Dallas capital investment group, is expected to close by Feb. 12.

Now down to 50 employees from 182 before it declared bankruptcy Nov. 2, Nichols Bros. will begin rehiring immediately, spokesman Laird Harris said.

In the short term, it will bring back 100 employees, restoring the total work force to 150, he said.

In March, the company will undertake work on two new tugboats, he said. It will also try requalifying to participate with two other companies to build some of the new Washington State Ferries vessels, said Len York, a financial adviser to Ice Flow.

Overall, York said, "we'll focus the company on its core business, which has been building ferries, tugs and fishing boats."

Some management changes are contemplated, though York declined to detail them Friday.

Joseph Usibelli, a longtime Nichols Bros. investor and customer, founded Ice Flow after paying off a $3.8 million debt the boat maker owed to Frontier Bank, York said. Then, with the backing of Dallas-based capital investment group Treadstone Capital Management LP, it paid about $5.3 million more to make the purchase.

Nichols Bros. stated in its bankruptcy filing that it had debts of $43.9 million and assets of $3.41 million.

Treadstone, which has assets of $60 million, owns an undisclosed majority share of Ice Flow. It has offered Nichols Bros. a line of credit in the single-digit millions to finance new projects.

"What Treadstone sees in Nichols Bros. is a wonderful reputation as a very high-quality boat manufacturer, a group of employees who are very strong and capable," York said. "It's investing in the talent and capability of the yard, not a few used assets."

Several lawsuits pending against Nichols Bros., which were cited by Chief Executive Matt Nichols as one reason the company declared bankruptcy, won't have to be battled by the new owners. Instead, under bankruptcy law, those plaintiffs will have to proceed against the old, bankrupt Nichols Bros., not the newly financed company, York said.

"We assumed the assets and none of the liabilities," he said.
-----------

P-I reporter Dan Richman can be reached at 206-448-8032 or [e-mail].
======================

[shipchandler]

ferrytraveller said:

If there was drydock space in BC, could WSF's send a ship to get work done in BC?
Also does anyone know how many shipyards in BC have drydocks or can build new vessels?

In the early `90s [When our dollar was tanking]WSF sent the M.V.SEALTH up to VANCOUVER DRY DOCK [now WASHINGTON MARINE GROUP]to have her annual overhaul. In addition to vancouver,Public WorksCanada has the ESQUIMALT GRAVING DOCK[also run byWMG]Which is one of the largest on the west coast of North America and also the oldest.............