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Working Waterfront

Our Working Waterfront ~ 12/09/22

(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.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 11/18/22

Hauled out in the Boatyard are  F/V Grant, F/V Polaris, and F/V Vansee 

(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. 

Our Working Waterfront ~ 10/28/22

(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.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 10/14

(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.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 9/09/22

(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.  

Our Working Waterfront ~ 8/12

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.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 6/10

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.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 5/13

It’s time again for our monthly update on news, issues, and stories surrounding our vibrant Maritime Community. In this edition of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’S Chris Bricker and co-hosts Port Commissioner Pam Petranek and Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg give us a report from the boatyard. Then, sitting in the sunshine at “C” Dock, we engage in conversation with Eric Toews, the Port’s Deputy Director, about current developments in the Quilcene community’s Port Property planning process. Later, we speak with Pete Langley, Port Townsend Marine Trades Association President and owner of the Port Townsend Foundry. We Discuss the PTMTA board, its activities, and the role Marine Trades have in the County’s economic development. Topping things off, Pam honors the past District 3 Commissioners, especially Herb Beck, who recently passed and will always be remembered for his long service.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 4/08/22

This month on Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and co-host Port Commissioner Pam Petranek visit with 3rd generation Quilcene resident Joel Kawahara. We meet by the stern of his 42-foot troller Karolee, now hauled out for maintenance near Dave Thompson’s shop at the north end of the Boatyard. He’s a career commercial fisherman who is widely known as an advocate for sustainable fisheries and habitat restoration. He’s involved with the Wild Salmon Coalition and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and their efforts at preserving this important resource.
Joel is a guy who has never quite fit in the corporate world, but has combined his credentials, talents, and caring nature as a catalyst for bringing disparate interests to the table in order to affect significant change.

Our Working Waterfront ~ 3/11

In this special Fund Drive edition of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker, along with co-hosts Port Commissioner Pam Petranek and Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg, update us on happenings around our busy Boat Yard. Then we speak with marine trades and sailing icon Diana Talley about her project to explore the vast network of women here who love the sea and are deeply connected to it. She also arranged the first-ever group photograph of waterfront women, taken at Port Townsend’s City Dock on March 11.Then we pay a visit to Greg and Joey Veitenhans (pictured above) as they sit on the port rail of f.v. Voyager.  Greg speaks of five generations of fishermen, tells us how he met his wive, Ava, and what it was like to raise two sons, Henry and Joey, on a fishing boat.  Greg and family could ply us with enough stories for three more episodes! Joey, by the way, just earned his 100-ton Master Captain’s license at age 19.