‘We will be back for Seafair!’ – Pirates seek help for Moby Duck

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Five days after the fire that ravaged its engine compartment, the Seafair Pirates‘ Moby Duck made a trip to the Pirates’ top-secret North Seattle HQ tonight – thanks to the donated services of Skyway Towing. The occasion: Pirate leadership – in red blazers rather than the standard pirate regalia – talking about what they need to get the World War II-vintage craft back on the road again before Seafair 2011, and what happened to do so much damage:

That’s spokespirate Mark “Keelhaul” Jensen, who explained that they’re hoping to raise $25,000 in donations, since that’s the original estimate. But they don’t just need money: The engine that caught fire is an old Chrysler, and the Pirates are currently debating gas vs. diesel — they are in dire need of someone who is an automotive electrical expert to go through the Duck. They are also in need of a place to work on The Duck – if anyone has warehouse or other open space, please contact them. They really need to get The Duck out of the elements, as the fire caused damage that’s already risking serious rust.

You can send money to
Seafair Pirates Moby Duck Fund
PO Box 27638
Seattle, WA 98165
or go to seafairpirates.org and click the PayPal link. Seafair Pirates president Rusty Harper – who lives in West Seattle – says if you can help, it’s part of saving a tradition, and they are grateful to have long had so much community support:

If you have questions or want to talk about helping out, call 206-365-1590.

coffee October 6, 2010 (11:44 pm)

What about the vacant car buildings, surely that could be a nice deduction on taxes, donating “rent” space. The building next to the produce stand would be really nice…hint HINT.

Marc October 7, 2010 (10:18 am)

That does seem a good spot. Maybe wsb can contact Steve Huling? I think they still own the space and he’s a big community supporter from what I have seen. Hint 2.
Marc

Chris Filer October 7, 2010 (10:49 am)

I think Ride The Duck should donate their resources for estimates and repairs, etc. Since they must have a platform in place for their own vehicles, perhaps it would cost less to use their help.

Rod Clark October 7, 2010 (12:47 pm)

9/8/2010 – Quack. Quack.
Here’s a local perspective on duck boats, after an incident last month in the Ship Canal where one crossed in front of other marine traffic.
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2 tourists missing after barge hits ‘duck’
Two months ago in Philadelphia, a duck boat had mechanical trouble and the engine caught fire while it was full of people on the water, and it stalled in front of a rapidly approaching giant barge.
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Makes you stop and ponder a bit about finding a better vessel to be a pirate in.

dan cameron October 7, 2010 (2:57 pm)

Ron Clark, Maybe you have been misinformed,,the Duck does not go in the water.

Rod Clark October 7, 2010 (8:07 pm)

Dan, I thought they came ashore last year in a much larger modern landing craft. I didn’t see the landing this year, and actually I’ve hardly ever gone down there for the Pirates. But while reading the Seattle Times story about the duck fire the other day (Times, Oct. 2), I saw this.
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“The Seafair Pirates use the 32-foot vehicle for the beach landing that kicks off Seafair each summer and in parades in the region.” Well, maybe that isn’t going to happen ever again now.
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Instead of pouring another mound of money into the duck, why not offer it at a reasonable price to MOHAI or someone else in the Puget Sound area or elsewhere, to be restored as a war memorial exhibit instead of a rolling clown joke?
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And then get a big flatbed trailer and build wooden pirate ship planking on and around it, and wooden masts with crows’s nests and ratlines. Something without a costly and unreliable flaming engine and all the mechanical and electrical crud on that duck, something that can be hauled in a parade cheaply by any tractor that’s handy. Something that can be worked on by lots of volunteers who aren’t clued in to 65 year old military mechanical gear.
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Besides, something like that could look a lot more like a period ship from three centuries ago. Right now they have a lot of Internal Combustion Pirates riding around on the S.S. Sheet Metal. Fine, but that thing looks like it should have a Condemned notice on it. How much better is it going to get with another $25,000 put into it? Enough, or not?

Mark Jensen October 11, 2010 (12:59 am)

Rod
It would appear that you are not very well versed with our vessel. First we are not the Seafair clowns we are a the Seafair Pirates. Im sure the many soldiers and service personnel who have been aboard her since she became our ship or have attended a function with Moby in attendance would prefer her to stay what she is as opposed to a memorial.

Mr Cameron is correct Moby has not gone in the water since the 70″s. She is always at the landing but Beach side. We land in army operated LCW’s.

Moby has made hundreds if not thousands of appearances for many charitable functions beside parades. Parades is just one function of her and you as a seattlite would be proud to know she is usually one of the highlights to the many parades she does attend.

We have done just fine being clued to her 65 year old military mechanical gear,that would be up until the time she was replaced with her current running gear.I believe the 440 in her now was originally built by Jerry Ruth Racing.In addition she has undergone many many changes over the years always with our volunteers at the helm.

Perhaps before you judge whether an amount is to much or not perhaps you should speak to the hundred or so charities who have auctioned off rides on her to benefit the charitable cause. A ride purchased at auction for the Torchlight parade alone typically fetches $10,000 for a charity that auctions off that ride.

It is a shame she will not be at the many toy collections that we undertake each year at Christmas, but fear not you may contact us directly for information where you may drop off your donation to assist a deserving child.

Interesting thing about the internet it gives every one a voice. Perhaps an informed one next time Rod would serve you better.

Rod Clark October 11, 2010 (5:20 pm)

Mark, thanks for your explanations about the Pirates. It’s good to hear that the duck no longer goes in the water. If I can add one other comment, it would be about seriously considering not installing another gasoline engine in it. A news article quoted one of the Pirates about being undecided whether to put a gasoline or diesel replacement engine in the duck. This fire wasn’t inevitable, but it was more of a hazard and a possibility with a gasoline engine in that compartment, as with boats’ engine compartments in general.
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As for what came off the top of my head right after seeing the fire photos and hearing that the vessel would be out of commission for most of a year you’re welcome, of course, to think whatever you like. The Pirates do good works, and I hope they continue to do so for many years.

Sorry, comment time is over.