HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAIN UPDATES

HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAIN UPDATES

UPDATE: 2021

It’s been a while since we sent you an update on Hawaiian Chieftain. She remains for sale in Astoria for $150,000.

In December 2019 we came to the difficult decision that it was time for Hawaiian Chieftain’s role within GHHS to come to an end. In June of 2019 US Coast Guard inspectors discovered serious problems with the steel, in her more than fifteen percent of her hull and her bowsprit. She is forbidden from operating until these issues are resolved. She was shifted from Port Townsend to Astoria in the hopes of less expensive repairs in partnership with Tongue Point, but the cost of the repairs in either location is more than the current value of the ship. We had her stripped down in order to give her a fresh coat of paint but the Coast Guard inspection put a halt on our plans, so she remains in her stripped down state.

In addition to the $350,000 it would take to fund her existing repairs, due to new clean air laws being adopted, she would need new engines immediately following the welding repairs to her hull. That brings the total needed to a minimum of $600,000.

Hawaiian Chieftain has been an important part of our operations for over 15 years, so it was a difficult decision to make. HC now rests in Astoria where she is for sale and will stay until a new owner is found, or we generate the funds to have her towed to Aberdeen.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in buying the Hawaiian Chieftain, contact Captain Jamie Trost – jtrost@historicalseaport.org or 540-480-1732. The current repairs are for Coast Guard approved passenger vessels. A private owner would have other options.


Here is the information we sent out in 2020 regarding Hawaiian Chieftain and our reasoning behind selling her:

We entered 2020 with an updated strategic plan that focused on three goals:

  1. Increase public awareness
  2. Make Seaport Landing a community and tourist destination
  3. Maintain the fleet to allow sailing for years to come

In order to ensure the success of this mission, we find it necessary to home in on our key assets — Lady Washington and Seaport Landing. Lady Washington is currently at the Seaport for her first extended winter maintenance period in at least 12 years. Your contributions have allowed for an extensive overhaul and servicing of her rigging and systems in preparation for her next sailing season.

Back at home, your support is helping us develop Seaport Landing into a destination that will change our community. As we revitalize and repurpose the site, we continue to focus on creating a vibrant and inviting center for tourism and education. The concept we continue to work toward includes:

  • A maritime museum and exhibits
  • A trade school in partnership with Harbor High (Aberdeen School District) and Grays Harbor College
  • Adult education and classroom space for The Seafarer Collective, our maritime workforce development training program
  • An event center to host community events
  • Leasing space to other businesses (Current leases include Standard Truss, Industrial Assets, Washington Motorcycle Safety Training, and most recently a local artist.)
  • Shops and restaurants
  • Hotel
  • Floating pier and public waterfront access
  • Longboat restoration and programming

As we refocus on Washington’s Official Flagship and her home port of Aberdeen, we have come to the difficult decision that Hawaiian Chieftain’s role within GHHS is coming to an end. Last June, US Coast Guard inspectors discovered serious problems with the steel in her more than fifteen percent of her hull and her bowsprit. She is forbidden from operating until these issues are resolved. She was shifted from Port Townsend to Astoria in the hopes of less expensive repairs in partnership with Tongue Point, but the cost of the repairs in either location is more than the current value of the ship.

There were other factors that contributed to the decision, including the loan that we currently carry on Hawaiian Chieftain, the amount of money we have already invested into repairs these last several years, and her profit and loss compared to other areas of the Seaport. After reviewing all of our options, financially this made the most sense.

We have been asked the question – why not sell Seaport Landing or part of the property? Part of the answer is that we took on the environmental responsibility for the cleanup when we acquired the property. As a public agency, Department of Ecology has been funding the cleanup at 90%. We put up a $1,000,000 bond at the time of purchase. Because we did not have the cash to put up this bond, we used our assets, including our old property. Even if we sell part of the property or our old property (which we are in a lease to own), that money will have to be used for the cleanup, it can’t be used for Hawaiian Chieftain. In addition to that, part of the grant money we have accepted for the development requires us to keep the property for 10 years.

Hawaiian Chieftain has been an important part of our operations for years, so this was a difficult decision to make. When the weather allows, we intend to bring her back to Aberdeen where she can be hauled out until a new owner is found.

If the funding for the repairs is found, we will reconsider our options at that time.

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you again for all of your support!

HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAIN UPDATES

HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAIN AND THE 2020 PLAN

We enter 2020 with an updated strategic plan that focuses on three goals:

  1. Increase public awareness
  2. Make Seaport Landing a community and tourist destination
  3. Maintain the fleet to allow sailing for years to come

In order to ensure the success of this mission, we find it necessary to home in on our key assets — Lady Washington and Seaport Landing. Lady Washington is currently at the Seaport for her first extended winter maintenance period in at least 12 years. Your contributions have allowed for an extensive overhaul and servicing of her rigging and systems in preparation for a busy 2020.

Back at home, your support is helping us develop Seaport Landing into a destination that will change our community. As we revitalize and repurpose the site, we continue to focus on creating a vibrant and inviting center for tourism and education. The concept we continue to work toward includes:

  • A maritime museum and exhibits
  • A trade school in partnership with Harbor High (Aberdeen School District) and Grays Harbor College
  • Adult education and classroom space for The Seafarer Collective, our maritime workforce development training program
  • An event center to host community events
  • Leasing space to other businesses (Current leases include Standard Truss, Industrial Assets, Washington Motorcycle Safety Training, and most recently a local artist.)
  • Shops and restaurants
  • Hotel
  • Floating pier and public waterfront access
  • Longboat restoration and programming

As we refocus on Washington’s Official Flagship and her home port of Aberdeen, we have come to the difficult decision that Hawaiian Chieftain’s role within GHHS is coming to an end. Last June, US Coast Guard inspectors discovered serious problems with the steel in her more than fifteen percent of her hull and her bowsprit. She is forbidden from operating until these issues are resolved.  She was shifted from Port Townsend to Astoria in the hopes of less expensive repairs in partnership with Tongue Point, but the cost of the repairs in either location is more than the current value of the ship.

There were other factors that contributed to the decision, including the loan that we currently carry on Hawaiian Chieftain, the amount of money we have already invested into repairs these last several years, and her profit and loss compared to other areas of the Seaport.  After reviewing all of our options, financially this made the most sense.

We have been asked the question – why not sell Seaport Landing or part of the property?  Part of the answer is that we took on the environmental responsibility for the cleanup when we acquired the property.  As a public agency, Department of Ecology has been funding the cleanup at 90%.  We put up a $1,000,000 bond at the time of purchase.  Because we did not have the cash to put up this bond, we used our assets, including our old property.  Even if we sell part of the property or our old property (which we are in a lease to own), that money will have to be used for the cleanup, it can’t be used for Hawaiian Chieftain.  In addition to that, part of the grant money we have accepted for the development requires us to keep the property for 10 years.

Hawaiian Chieftain has been an important part of our operations for nearly three decades, so this was a difficult decision to make. When the weather allows, we intend to bring her back to Aberdeen where she can be hauled out until a new owner is found.

If the funding for the repairs is found, we will reconsider our options at that time.

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Thank you again for all of your support!