SPOKANE, May 11, 2010 - A major state business group is honoring Foss Maritime for the world's first hybrid tug, a vessel delivering on its promise to bring cleaner air and greater fuel efficiency to ports and merchant fleets. Today the Association of Washington Business (AWB) announced Foss won an Environmental Excellence Award in the Green Enterprising Technologies category for the Carolyn Dorothy, which was built cooperatively with the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to help those communities cope with local air pollution issues. Don Brunell, AWB president, congratulated Foss for the innovative hybrid, which was recently featured on a segment of the History Channel's Modern Marvels:  Super Ships. The tug will also be featured in an upcoming issue of AWB's magazine, Washington Business.   "This is environmental innovation that's already paying off," Brunell said.  "And it doesn't surprise me it's coming from Foss, a national and international leader in the maritime industry.  The Carolyn Dorothy may be the first, but I believe Foss and its hybrid technology stand to tap markets far beyond Washington state." The Carolyn Dorothy was introduced in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in January of 2009 as an innovative approach to reducing air pollution. The vessel was designed to retain the power and maneuverability of her conventional Dolphin class sister tugs, while dramatically reducing emissions, maintenance costs, noise and fuel consumption. The same hybrid technology used to develop the Carolyn Dorothy can be used to convert existing harbor tugs-and other types of vessels-to hybrid vessels. Gary Faber, President and COO of Foss Maritime, thanked the AWB for recognizing the company's commitment to innovation and the use of cutting edge environmental technology. Said Faber, "At Foss, we have a 'zero trace' corporate goal.  The Carolyn Dorothy and our hybrid technology is an important part of that strategy.  Think of all the world's ports - and all the harbor tugs working in them.  What an opportunity we have to bring cleaner air and greater fuel efficiency."  

Don, the only child of Harry and Anna Ray, was born in Milwaukie, Oregon, on Oct. 7, 1928.  After graduating from Milwaukie High School in 1946, he served as an Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class in the US Navy from 1946-1948 aboard the USS Boxer and the USS Princeton.  Don earned his bachelor’s degree in Business and Engineering from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, in 1952. 

In 1952, Don was hired by Inland Navigation Company as an accountant.  He worked his way up to Manager of Harbor Operations, Chief Dispatcher, and Acting Operations Manager.  During this period, he trained and licensed as a tankerman in loading and discharging gasolines, diesels, and bunker C. His experience at Inland Navigation also included decking on harbor tugs, shipyard vessel modification and repair work, and occasional work as a small tug operator.  He left Inland and joined Foss Launch & Tug in 1957, decking on tugs and dispatching.  In 1959, Don took at job at Willamette Tug & Barge, a division of Riedel International, as Operations Manager, eventually becoming Vice President and General Manager.  In 1988, Knappton Corporation acquired Willamette Tug & Barge, and Don continued on with Knappton as a consultant.  In 1990, Don was hired by Captain A. (Slim) Leppaluoto (who had originally been Don’s manager at Inland Navigation) to be Operations Consultant for Campbell Towing Company, a tug and barge company operating out of Wrangell, Alaska.

Don Ray’s other accomplishments included:

·         Directorship of the Propeller Club of the Columbia

·         Director of the Portland Shipping Club

·         Presidency of the Society of Port Engineers

·         Vice Chairman of the Columbia River Towboat Association

·         Chairman of the Columbia River Tariff Bureau

·         Appointment to the Department of Transportation National Defense Executive Reserve and Acting Head of the Marine Group

·         Presidency of the Merchants Exchange of Portland

Don loved his work in the maritime industry and never fully retired, continuing his work as historian for the Oregon Maritime Museum.  He loved maritime history, maritime art, good food, and spending time with friends.  He was a devoted father to his three children.  Don enjoyed traveling all over the world and was particularly interested in the maritime activities at the various ports he visited.  He traveled to Israel last spring, and enjoyed a tall-ship cruise of the East Coast of the United States in November.  He had a great sense of humor, a positive outlook on life, and an inspiring work ethic.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan, in 2002, and is survived by his two sons, Kevin Burns of Scappoose, OR, Brian Ray of Portland, OR, his daughter, Mary Ray of Portland, OR, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Don’s life was held on Saturday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m. at the Oregon Maritime Museum, located aboard the sternwheeler Portland in downtown Portland, OR, at the foot of SW Pine St. on the seawall in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Maritime Museum.