And there they go

It was obvious from dockwatchers that large tugs were absent in large numbers, unlike past Harbor Days festivals. Two possible reasons could be job requirements of individual boats or the general state of the economy -- diesel fuel isn't cheap. Most notable among the absentees were long-time favorites, HENRY FOSS, the tractor from Tacoma, and other popular boats , such as the restored HENRIETTA FOSS, LORNA FOSS, MARY L. and Vancouver B.C.'s CLIVE.

But even so, 19 boats participated in South Puget Sound's 29th running of the tugboat classic.

The races are run from a standing start, over a measured two mile course on Budd Inlet, finishing at the Olympia Shoals. Results are shown (below) at the end of each heat's coverage.

Boat	Homeport	Owner and/or Skipper	Time
1. CLYDESDALE	Port Orchard, WA	Orchard Yacht Sales	10:46
2. NANIAMO TILLICUM	Vancouver B.C.		10:59
3. CEDAR KING	Olympia, WA	Dunlap Towing/Gary Sanford	11:10
4. JOE	Gig Harbor, WA	Robin Patterson	11:12
5. LITTLE JOE		Curt Lint/Robert Lint II	11:36
6. HONUKAI	Spanaway, WA	Dave & Debbie Bluff/Dave Bluff	16.14
7. BOB			17:37

In 18 years of covering the tugboat races, this was easily the most exciting race this photographer has ever had the pleasure of witnessing. In Jose Balmore's speeding press boat, Olympian photographer, Steve Bloom, KGY radio reporter Tom Trotser and myself watched the drama unfold, then hooped and hollered as the race came to it's screaming conclusion. This was a race for the history books.

Puget Sound race veteran (and many-times winner), PARTHIA (b.1906) has a new owner. Being a bit nervous about his first race, Mark Donner (left) of Vashon Island, WA and first mate, Larry Epley were eager for any advice that might be offered to them.
Well, if there is anything tugboaters love to do, it's talk about racing, so when Bob Powell, former owner of the historic tug, SAND MAN, offered some handy tips, the PARTHIA's crew was all ears.

"The first thing to remember, " said Powell, "is to hold your line -- don't budge! Stay on the inside or outside of any boat ahead of you. Keep away from their dirty water (wake). Keep your throttle open!" "And remember," Powell added with a laugh, "God hates a coward... but don't do anything that's not safe. Most importantly, remember to have fun!"

"We should have a clear view," offered First Mate, Epley with a wide grin, "because they'll all be behind us anyway!

The moment of truth was to arrive soon enough.


At the cannon, and like the knife she is, PARTHIA jumps into the lead over the powerful CAYOU.	In the first surprise of this race, 100 year old, ELF pulls ahead of the pack, edging out odds-on favorite, and last year's winner, RELIABLE (right).

ELF continues her forward motion as RELIABLE gets bogged down in her wake. ELF approaches PARTHIA.	At about the 2/3 mark, the tension becomes unbearable as ELF senses a win. In her pilothouse, Earl Van Diest remains calm and focused while his guests get ready to pop the cork.

As ELF passes, PARTHIA skipper, Mark Donner makes his only mistake of the race -- falling into the larger boat's water. And for ELF, that spells...

Victory!

tr>

Boat	Homeport	Owner/Skipper	Time
1. ELF	Tacoma, WA	Earl & Karen Van Diest/Earl Van Diest	9:46
2. PARTHIA	Vashon Island, WA	Mark Donner/Mark Donner	9:53
3. CAYOU	Port Orchard, WA	Thompson Pile Driving/Paul Fritts	10:24
4. RELIABLE	Bainbridge Island, WA	Shively Tug/Phil Shively	10:28
5. TEAL	Tacoma, WA	Jon & Pat Kent/Jon Kent	10:41
6. PALOMAR	Orcas Island, WA	David Haizlip/David Haizlip	10:55

ELF's owners, Earl and Karen Van Diest display their Harbor Days awards, both for their spectacular win, and for the boat's celebrating 100 years on Puget Sound waters.
ELF was built in Tacoma's Crawford and Ried Shipyards in 1902. Originally steam powered, she was converted to diesel in 1936. ELF runs a CAT V12 D386 engine rated at 360hp and will go approximately 11 1/2 kph at 1235 rpm.

1902-1916: Olson Tugboat Company. Towed logs and barges.

1916-170: Foss. Towed logs and barges in Puget Sound.

1970-1989: Tate Towboat Company. General tugboat work.

1989-Present: retired from tugging and made into a pleasure boat.

Disclaimer: This web page is in no way connected to the Harbor Days festival or its sponsors. Error corrections and/or comments should be addressed to the photographer. Email clcook@olywa.net.