‘Emergency’ declared after leaks found on 300-ton lift at Boat Haven

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The Port of Port Townsend’s 300-ton Marine Travelift has widespread leaks in its hydraulic system and needs emergency repairs to be ready for late winter/early spring heavy haul-out operations.

The Port of Port Townsend Commission approved a “declaration of emergency” at its meeting Jan. 12 to have components for the hydraulic system purchased and installed before commercial fishing vessels and other boats need to go back into the water later this winter and beyond.

The repair job is expected to cost more than $65,000.

Parts for the 300-ton lift are to cost $42,000, based on an estimate from Kendrick Equipment, and the installation anticipated to cost up to $25,000.

A maintenance mechanic for the port discovered the Marine Travelift was leaking during an inspection in mid-December. Extensive repairs were deemed to be needed to avoid a mechanical failure, according to the port, after it was discovered that valves and spools of the lift’s hydraulic systems needed to be replaced.

Port officials said a substantial number of commercial vessels were at Boat Haven undergoing winter refits.

Because loss of the Travelift would mean an extended suspension of haul-out operations — which could result in “substantial financial losses to the port and its customers” — Eron Berg, executive director of the port, signed an emergency order Dec. 17 to expedite repairs.

Port officials also noted that unprecedented supply chain disruptions were adding to the challenge of finding component parts for the boat-handling equipment.

The declaration of an emergency allows the port to waive competitive bidding requirements set by state law and approve contracts needed to address the emergency.

Commissioners ratified Berg’s emergency order as part of their consent agenda at last week’s meeting.