The future of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport’s Hawaiian Chieftain is in serious doubt after Coast Guard inspectors discovered significant problems with the steel in her hull and bowsprit last year. The tall ship is forbidden from operating in her current condition.
Brandi Bednarik, executive director of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, which owns and operates the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain, said the Seaport is going to put the Chieftain up for sale and focus its attention on the Lady Washington and developing Seaport Landing, the property it acquired from Weyerhaeuser on the south bank of the Chehalis River.
“We have come to the difficult decision that Hawaiian Chieftain’s role within GHHS is coming to an end,” Bednarik said in a news release.
“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,” the release said.