Working Waterfront

(Airdate: March 10, 2023) In this edition of Our Working Waterfront, co-host Eron Berg gives us an update on the multiple projects in progress and funding opportunities for further development here at the Port of Port Townsend. Then co-host Port Commissioner Pam Petranek joins KPTZ’s Chris Bricker as they explore the boatyard in search of Tall Ships. In a rare occurrence, six historic schooners were hauled out in the same window of time—a rare opportunity not to be missed! We speak with Skippers, a Mate, and Deckhands alike.

Pete Langley has been the owner of the Port Townsend Foundry since he re-established it in 1983, nearly 100 years later. The use of heritage techniques as well as modern technology allows Port Townsend Foundry’s craftspeople to produce pieces of continuing history. KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and Co-Host Eron Berg, Port of Port Townsend’s Director, join Pete for an up-close-and-personal tour, along with some sage insights about craftsmanship and about the niche Port Townsend Foundry serves in the Industry.

In this month’s edition of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker joins co-hosts Port Director Eron Berg and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek for an update on happenings around the Port. Then Pam gives a special guided tour of the Boat Yard for high school student guests from the Port Townsend Maritime Academy, along with their instructor Karl Jorden. We’ll visit with Shipwrights Pat Mahon, Cory Armstrong (owner of Goldstar Marine), Pete Stein, Melanya Nordstrom, and Dave Thompson.  Working in the Boat Yard means building friendships and experiences along the way. Opportunities abound to learn about design, building, maintenance and repair. Businesses in the Yard are independent yet interconnected, because they complement one another in so many ways. You can start out with a box of tools, work with others or on your own, be employed by businesses, rent shop space. A good work ethic and the willingness to learn are the main ingredients that can lead to a fine career as a shipwright.

(Airdate: December 9, 2022) KPTZ’s Chris Bricker joins co-hosts, Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek, for our monthly update on news, issues, and people that surround our Maritime Community. After Eron’s Port update, Chris and Pam take a stroll down the Boathaven’s “A Dock” to visit 23-year-old Damian Detweiller, who moved here from Aspen, Colorado to attend the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building. He now works at the Shipwrights Co-Op, and tends to his boat Lacey, using the talents he’s brought with him, and the skills he’s learned from the Boat School and as an apprentice to the Co-Op’s fine craftsmen. We learn about Damien’s projects, plans, dreams, and his deep love of boats.

(Airdate: November 18, 2022) In this reprise airing, co-host Eron Berg, Port of Port Townsend’s Director, joins KPTZ’s Chris Bricker to give us a monthly update from Our Working Waterfront. Then Port Commissioner Pam Patranek and Chris pay a visit to Brad Seamans of the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-Op, along with Captains Brian Dafforn of f/v Polaris, and Pat Baker of f/v Grant, who are part of the historic fleet of Longline Schooners that seasonally fish the North Pacific and bring back halibut and black cod to our dinner tables. 

(Airdate: October 28, 2022) In this special Part Two of Our Working Waterfront, host Chris Bricker takes us from his earlier Tour of f.v. Cape Cleare with Skipper Rick Oltman to this week’s conversation with three of the five young crew members from this season’s fishing trip to Alaska. Pam Petranek, her daughter Kaila Janders, and Natalie Toews tell us stories. Kaila and Natalie share how the experience change their lives and gave them new perspectives.

(Airdate: October 14, 2022) On alternate Fridays during the noon hour, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and co-hosts Port Director Eron Berg and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek bring you an update on news, people, and issues surrounding our vibrant maritime community. Home from Alaska and currently moored at C Dock in the Boat Haven, fishing vessel Cape Cleare sits at rest. It’s another story for its Skipper, Rick Ottman, who at any given time can be found fixing, replacing, repairing and caring for this 80-foot schooner which has been re-fitted for trolling under sail power. Rick gives us a tour of the boat this week, and then in our next episode we’ll meet the unique crew that accompanied him this season.

(Airdate: September 9, 2022) Pete Langley has been the owner of the Port Townsend Foundry since he re-established it in 1983, nearly 100 years later. The use of heritage techniques as well as modern technology allows Port Townsend Foundry’s craftspeople to produce pieces of continuing history.  KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and Co-Host Eron Berg, Port of Port Townsend’s Director, join Pete for an up-close-and-personal tour, along with some sage insights about craftsmanship and about the niche Port Townsend Foundry serves in the Industry.  

In this month’s edition of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker joins co-host, Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg, along with the Port’s Chief Engineer, Matt Klontz, for an update on the month’s activities and a review of the timeline for the North Jetty Project set to begin right after the Wooden Boat Festival. Our special guest is Captain Robert D’Arcy, proprietor of Robert D’Arcy Marine Services and Primary Captain and Project Manager for the restoration of the 1907 Schooner Martha. Robert introduces us to Martha, tells us how she got here, and notes her unique place not only as a “living history” project, but also her role in sail training and education.
Robert and Eron emphasize the complementary, dynamic, and organic nature of a Port such as ours and its synergistic relationship with our local community and economy. We truly have a World Class boatyard that includes all facets of the Marine Trades, along with an amazing panorama of expertise.

In this episode of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker, Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg, and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek explore the Boat Yard and visit with tuna fisherman Paul Svornich and his wife, Lorraine, beneath the stern of their 38 foot sloop named Ocean. As usual, Eron gives us a brief update on the happenings around the Port, and then Project Director and Engineer, Matt Klontz, chimes in with the latest news and projections for the long-awaited north and south Jetty Projects. Paul Svornich tells of his family’s rich Croatian heritage, how he’ll always call Bainbridge Island’s Eagle Harbor his home, how he and Diana Talley built his sloop, and of his adventures with wife Lorraine. Though his daughter, Kashmira has also fished with him in the past, Paul will captain his ship solo these days. Lorraine no longer fishes, and now minds the home front.  Paul minds his sails, pampers his small biodiesel-fed engine, and fillets, packages, and freezes his catch onboard. Then brings all of it home to sell to the niche market he’s created for himself over time. In Paul’s own words, he loves dancing with the Sea.