Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival Expands to Two Days in May; Industry Events set for Downtown Waterfront and South Lake Union Park

SEATTLE, WA, April 22, 2014 (Press-News.org) Don't miss the boat at Seattle's largest maritime industry celebration! It's the Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival, sponsored by the Seattle Propeller Club and Port of Seattle, on May 10 - 11.

In addition to the usual fun of the world's largest tugboat races and workboat parade on the downtown waterfront on Saturday, May 10, this year the Festival expands to Sunday, May 11, with dozens of activities set for Lake Union Park.

"By expanding the Festival, we can showcase the working waterfront in Lake Union, the Ship Canal and Fishermen's Terminal," said Rachel Shrewsbury, President of the Propeller Club. "This is a great year to expand the Festival, as the Port of Seattle celebrates the Centennial of Fishermen's Terminal."

Key Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival events include:

Harbor Open House, Pier 66 and Bell Harbor Marina
Saturday, May 10, 11a.m. - 5p.m.
The world's largest tugboat races, workboat parade, three free harbor tours, Seattle Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off, vessel tours, kids' activities, displays and demonstrations.

Family Fun Day, Lake Union Park
Sunday, May 11, 11a.m. - 5p.m.
World Invitational Boat Building Championships, Survival Suit Races, two free ship canal boat tours, vessel tours, kids' boat building, music, and displays. The Lake Union events are produced by Northwest Seaport.

"Overall, the festival is a great way to celebrate and showcase our maritime industry and the important role it plays in the Puget Sound region's economy," commented Shrewsbury.

Most of the events are free and all events are subject to change. The Festival schedule includes:

Harbor Open House, Pier 66 and Bell Harbor Marina, Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

U.S. Oil & Refining Seattle Tugboat Race Championships
The 30th Annual competition is the largest tugboat race in the world. This year, more than 30 boats are expected to participate. Racing is from the starting line at Pier 62/63 to the Grain Terminal, Pier 86.

Fire Boat Display 12:10 p.m.
Workboat Parade 12:15 p.m.
Tugboat Ballet/Demonstration 1 p.m.
Abandon Ship Demonstration by Seattle Maritime Academy 1:15 p.m.
Coast Guard Sea-Air Rescue 1:40 p.m.
Class C Limited Tug Race 2:10 p.m.
Class B Harbor Tug Race 2:45 p.m.
Class A Unlimited Race (if larger tugs are available) 3:15 p.m.

Eighteenth Annual Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off
Discover the best chowder from top Downtown Seattle Waterfront restaurants! Special chowder tasting areas will be created at each restaurant. Buy your Chowder Passport for only $5 at all participating restaurants or at the festival information booth. Proceeds benefit maritime community and youth organizations.

Participating restaurants include: Anthony's Pier 66; Bell Harbor International Conference Center; The Crab Pot; Elliott's Oyster House; The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar; Ivar's; Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hook & Plow; and, Six-Seven at The Edgewater.

The Chowder Cook-Off is sponsored by the Seattle Waterfront, Metropolitan Improvement District and DowntownSeattleParking.com.

Free Harbor Tours - Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Presented by the Port of Seattle
Discover the working waterfront in our harbor. Board at Bell Harbor Marina/Pier 66 one-half hour prior to each departure. There is a limit of 400 guests for each tour. There is a limit of four tickets per adult, 18 years or older.

Vessel Tours
U.S. Coast Guard, tugboats and other workboat are expected to participate.

Kids' Fun
Free face painting and a kids' bounce will be available inside the Maritime Events Center.

Displays
Check out industry displays by the Port of Seattle, Vigor Industrial, Cummins Northwest, the Coast Guard and others on the plaza at Pier 66.

Family Fun Day, Lake Union Park, Sunday, May 11, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Workboat World Invitational Boat Building Competition
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Industry teams compete in building a boat from standard materials starting at 9 a.m. Judging at 3 p.m., with racing at South Lake Union scheduled for 4 p.m.

Survival Suit Races presented by Compass Courses Maritime Training
1 p.m.
This prestigious, exciting and fun event will feature teams of four members. At the starting gun, teams put on their survival suits, jump into the warm waters of Lake Union, swim to a life raft and climb aboard. The fastest team wins the competition and the trophy.

Lake Union/Ship Canal Tours- 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Presented by the Port of Seattle
Discover the working waterfront in South Lake Union and on the Ship Canal. Learn about the Centennial of Fishermen's Terminal. Board at Lake Union one-half hour prior to each departure. There is a limit of 400 guests for each tour. There is a limit of four tickets per adult, 18 years or older.

Vessel Tours - Scheduled to Participate:
Historic Vessels:
Virginia V, The Virginia V Foundation, Historic Ships Wharf
Arthur Foss, Northwest Seaport, Historic Ships Wharf
Lightship No. 83 "Swiftsure," Northwest Seaport, Historic Ships Wharf
Duwamish, The Puget Sound Fireboat Foundation, Historic Ships Wharf
M/V Lotus, M.V. Lotus Heritage Foundation, Historic Ships Wharf
M/V Skillful, Private, Historic Ships Wharf

Working Vessels
R/V Liberty, King County Dept. of Natural Resources & Parks, 48 feet, West Seawall
F/V Loki, Loki Fish Company, 38 feet, West Seawall
Vessel Assist Seattle, Lake Union, 22 feet, West Seawall
M/V Propeller, Sea Scout Ship, 65 feet, West Seawall

Boats Displayed on Trailers
U.S. Coast Guard
Calderdale, Ocean Rowboat of Erden Eruc
Dragon Boat, Seattle Flying Dragons

Kids Activities
- Free kids boat building with the Center for Wooden Boats
- Five fun bounces from Clowns Unlimited - $5 ticket allows unlimited rides!

Free Music
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Watch the Sky!
12:45 - 2 p.m. Spanaway Bay
2:15 - 3:30 p.m. The Phinney Ridge Rum Runners
3:45-5 p.m. Dan Roberts

Displays
Check out industry displays by the Port of Seattle, NOAA, Norwest Seaport, the Coast Guard and others.

Virginia V Mother's Day Cruise on Lake Union
4-5pm
$20 non-members, $15 for members, $5 for kids under 11, and free for kids under 5.
http://www.virginiav.org/

Presenting Sponsors:
Seattle Propeller Club, Port of Seattle, and Vigor Industrial.

Industry Sponsors:
Carnival Cruise Lines, Crowley Marine, Foss Maritime, Harley Marine, Holland America, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Puget Sound Pilots, U.S. Oil & Refining, Washington State Ferries and Western Towboat.

Industry Partners:
Compass Courses, Global Diving and Salvage, Glosten Associates, Metropolitan Improvement District, Downtown Seattle Parking and Seattle Waterfront.

Industry Supporters:
American Seafoods, Jones Stevedoring, Manson Construction, Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, SSA Marine | Carrix, TOTE and Washington Chain and Supply.

Industry Friends:
Argosy Cruises, Clipper Navigation, Delta Western, Pacific Northwest Equipment, Port of Everett, APL, American Waterways Operators, Beck Electric Supply, Bauer Moynihan Johnson, Markey Machinery, Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and Pacific Seafood Processors Association.

Media Partners:
KING Television, KIRO Radio, National Fisherman and WorkBoat Magazine.

For further information, call (206) 787-3163 or visit www.SeattleMaritime101.com or www.SeattlePropellerClub.org.

About the Seattle Propeller Club
The Vigor Seattle Maritime festival is produced by the Seattle Propeller Club, the area's largest and most diverse maritime industry association. The Club's mission is to promote maritime commerce in the Puget Sound and it holds monthly luncheons, the Steamship Dinner, a golf tournament and other annual programs. To learn more, visit www.SeattlePropellerClub.org.