Category Archives: Shipyards

1994: Small is Beautiful at Nexus Marine P.Marsh

After a few years, I think all of us develop a system for viewing the Seattle Boat Show. When I finally reach the main floor, my plan involves dodging between glittering runabouts and towering cruisers to find what Nexus Marine … Continue reading

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A Sailor’s Guide to R.V. Atlantis and “Inner Space”

Last year I had the opportunity to tour the 274′ R.V. (research vessel) Atlantis and its famous submersible Alvin while it was docked in Astoria. Alvin is probably the best known craft of its type in the world, having appeared … Continue reading

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Scandinavian Canoe Stern Revived in the 20th Century

Colin Archer, the Westsail and More By the 1920s, the sport of yachting had seen several theories of design come and go. There was the narrow beam/long overhang style demanded by the International handicap rule, or the wildly contrasting types … Continue reading

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2014 – Hyak’s 120′ Titan Tugs Set New Standard for Offshore Towing

In August 2013, the JT Marine Inc shipyard in Vancouver, Washington delivered the MV Hawaii, the first of a pair of 120-ft ocean-going azimuthing stern-drive (ASD) tugs designed by Jensen Maritime, Seattle naval architects, for Hyak Maritime LLC. The tugs … Continue reading

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High-Speed Catamaran Ferries Cause Double Trouble in Washington

What’s Wrong With Fast Ferries? Plenty Say Opponents!  Copyright Peter Marsh The sight of a big catamaran swiftly cutting cleanly through the water is so common these days on the northwest coast that it barely rates a mention. From the … Continue reading

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2014 – Vintage Erie Canal Tug Goes All-Electric

1920’s Tug Converted to Battery-Electric Drive – copyright Peter Marsh On Labor Day Weekend, 2014, purely by chance, I arrived  by bike at the Waterford Tug Round Up in New York state at the east end of the Erie Canal. … Continue reading

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SS Jeremiah O’Brien Visit Recalls When Portland Was the WWII “Liberty Factory”

The first visit of the last operational Liberty Ship Jeremiah O’Brien to the Pacific Northwest in 1998 brought back many memories to those who remember the war years. The Liberties were the ships that saved Britain in 1942 during the … Continue reading

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