MV Catalyst 80th birthday bash—all aboard

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The gangplanks will lower in honor of the 80th birthday of the MV Catalyst, once the “workhorse” of the chemistry and oceanograpy departments of the UW Labs, May 5, at the Port of Friday Harbor Marina.

Saturday’s Open Boat Party and Tour, 1-5 p.m., is free, and open to the public.

With its duty at the Labs now done, the Catalyst plies the waters of southeast Alaska, British Columbia and the San Juans, employed as a small cruise ship.

Like engines? The Catalyst’s has its original: a 6-cyclinder Washington Estep. The crew vows to fire it up and let ‘er run as part of the event. Info, 378-7123.