By Clare Jensen Tacoma Weekly
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Photos courtesy of Foss Waterway Seaport

MARITIME CHRISTMAS. Tacoma waterfront’s Captain Claus will be at the Foss Waterway Seaport’s Balfour Dock from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6

A swashbuckling version of jolly old Saint Nick is making his way to Tacoma again this year, putting a local spin on the global Christmas icon.

“Captain Claus offers a unique twist on our maritime heritage, with a little fiction involved,” said Jan Adams, web graphic designer for the Foss Waterway Seaport.

She noted that when coming up with the Captain Claus idea, the brainstorming team took some liberties with historical accuracy, but felt a sea-faring Santa was not too far out of reach.

“There must have been at some time an old buccaneer that wanted to do a nice thing for the holidays…someone who would come ashore at Balfour Dock and bring good cheer to the children and their families.”

At noon on Dec. 5 and 6, Captain Claus will arrive at Balfour Dock on the Foss Waterway on Tugboat Joe, a classic Foss tugboat. Holiday activities for families will take place following the Captain’s arrival on both days. Visitors are welcome to partake in Christmas ornament and toy boat making, listening to maritime stories read by master storyteller Penny Tennison and pursuing pirate booty in a historical treasure hunt.

Free hot cocoa will be provided by Dock Street Sandwich Co., and Learning Sprout Toys has donated items to be handed out to the first children at Balfour Dock on each day.

Captain Claus will be available from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to listen to the Christmas wishes of all the young scallywags in attendance. Photos can be purchased with Captain Claus for $10.

“Captain Claus is not your typical mall Santa,” said Mark Stopka, who volunteers as Captain Claus. “To me it’s never about the money, it’s just about the kids and the look on their faces; the sparkle they get when they see Captain Claus coming into the dock.”

Captain Claus is a perfect blend of a traditional Santa and a 19th century-era tall ships captain. He wears a long, oversized cuffed red and white coat, tricorner hat and a sword. This will be his third non-consecutive year bringing maritime holiday cheer hosted by the Foss Waterway. Captain Claus made his first appearance in 2006, the dock was closed in 2007 for renovation, and Captain Claus had a cameo at the larger Winterfest event in 2008.

“We really hope everyone will come visit us this year,” Adams said. “This event just oozes with Tacoma’s maritime history. Captain Claus is one unique part of our mission helping us celebrate Tacoma’s maritime heritage.”

Check out Captain Claus at the Foss Waterway Seaport from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Admission is $2 per person and $8 for a family of five. 705 Dock St., Tacoma. Visit http://www.fosswaterwayseaport.org for more information.

Republished with permission from http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3792

SEATTLE, December 3, 2009 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest official is in Seattle today to announce an investment in marine technology that promises to lower air pollutants’ harmful risks even as it preserves local jobs.

Lisa Jackson, EPA administrator, will award a $739,500 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to Foss Maritime Company, Environmental Solutions Worldwide (ESW) and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), which are partnering to test a pollution-reducing device on two Foss tugs, the Garth Foss and the Lindsey Foss. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will manage the project on behalf of EPA.

Jackson will announce the grant at a ceremony at Bell Harbor, Seattle Pier 66, Waterlink Gallery, beginning at 12:30 p.m.  Following the announcement, Foss officials, along with their ESW and PSCAA counterparts, will be on hand to conduct media tours of the Lindsey. 

“Foss is actively looking for opportunities in which our fleet can be used to test promising environmental technologies, as a part of our commitment to proactive environmental problem solving” said Gary Faber, the company’s president and COO.  “This project puts Foss on the cutting edge of innovation, which is where we want to be.”

ESW invented the unique pollution-reducing device, the XtrmCat (TM) Diesel Oxidation Catalyst.  It is on EPA’s emerging technologies list and is projected to reduce particulate matter (PM) by 25 percent, hydrocarbons (HC) by 25 percent and carbon monoxide by 70 percent.

The four 4,000-horsepower marine engines on the Garth and the Lindsey will be retrofitted with the innovative catalysts in combination with a closed crankcase ventilation (CCV) system.  ESW is currently seeking verification of its catalyst/crankcase ventilation system for high horsepower marine and locomotive uses.  The six-year partnership with Foss and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will allow ESW to determine if the system is durable enough for extended maritime use.

David J. Johnson, president and CEO of the Concord, Ontario-based ESW, said, “This project can serve as a model for long-term diesel emissions reductions for the entire marine sector.  Moreover, the technology is designed to meet the demanding environment of high horsepower marine engines with no impact on vessel performance.  We are proud to be working with a group of partners dedicated to taking on the challenge of implementing emissions reductions in marine vessels ahead of legislated requirements.”

The grant builds on regional efforts of the maritime community to meet voluntary pollution-reduction standards.  The Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Port Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, in cooperation with state, federal and regional air authorities, have worked together to develop the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy.

Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, said that a series of project benchmarks and timelines will insure that the public sees a benefit from the federal stimulus grant.

“Providing emission controls for harbor craft is a key element of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy,” McLerran said.  “This project is a model for what we’re trying to accomplish – reducing harmful diesel emissions from tugs and other harbor craft.  The result will be cleaner air for citizens of our region for years to come, as well as jobs in the near term.  We are pleased to be partnering with Foss and ESW on a strategy that offers a significant payoff for the public.”  

In addition, EPA officials said the project will help the local maritime industry rebound from the nation’s current economic downturn.  The shipyard work needed to retrofit the Garth and the Lindsey will be completed at Foss’ local facility and employ local shipyard workers.

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