From sardine seiner to fisheries research, the Western Flyer continues to contribute to the industry

The average commercial fishing vessel in the U.S. North Pacific fleet is over 40 years old, and most have been repowered. Launched in 1937, the 77-foot Western Flyer is older than most, and while no longer actively fishing, the former sardine seiner is still in the game as a fisheries research vessel.

“I’ve been living with the Western flyer for the past eight years,” says Chris Chase, who has overseen the conversion for the Western Flyer Foundation, established by successful engineer and geologist, John Gregg. The heavy work began with rebuilding the hull at the Port Townsend Shipwright’s Co-op, in Port Townsend, Washington. Towed across Puget Sound in 2022, the Western Flyer is now in the repowering stage at Snow & Company in Everett, Wash.

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