The EXPRESS and John Clutter received a Special Judges Recognition Environmental Award presented by WORKBOAT MAGAZINE at the International Workboat Show Dec 3,2008 in New Orleans.
Historic schooner to salmon tender: the Aleutian Express sails on 100 years of history
https://www.kdlg.org/fisheries/2023-07-25/historic-schooner-to-salmon-tender-the-aleutian-express-sails-on-100-years-of-history
This summer, an unusual looking salmon tender is anchored in the Naknek-Kvichak District. The Aleutian Express is a historic, 3–masted schooner that came sailing up from Washington State for the Bristol Bay sockeye season. The vessel’s history extends back over a century, with many iterations of names, owners, and uses across Alaska and the west Coast. KDLG’s Jessie Sheldon has more.
JOHN CLUTTER VESSELS OWNED OR OPERATED and EXPERIENCE;
OWNED & OPERATED:
ALEUTIAN EXPRESS -2016: Transited directly from Port Angeles, Washington to King Cove, Alaska (7 days) for salmon tendering operation Along the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea sides of the western Alaska Peninsula. Solo transit from Kodiak to Sequim, Washington for winter layup and projects. 2017: Departed Port Orchard Washington to Bristol Bay, Alaska directly via Gulf of Alaska operating out of the Naknek River and Egegik River. Departed Bristol Bay for King Cove, Chignik, Kodiak, Valdez operating Prince William Sound, back to Kodiak and return to Washington for winter shipyard projects. 2018: after 5 months of shipyard work and failed Chignik run, vessel was laid up and captained the f/v REPUBLIC out of Valdez for Icicle Seafoods at Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet and Kodiak Island. 2019: season back working the ALEUTIAN EXPRESS transited from Seattle to Sitka via the Strait of Juan de Fuca operating for Seafood Producers Cooperative (SPC) taking drift, troll and purse sein caught salmon between Sitka and Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska. Transited the west coast of Vancouver Island to Washington for winter maintenance and repairs. 2021: Transited from Port Townsend Washington directly via Cape Flattery to Castle Cape to Chignik, Alaska in June and returned by the same route in September after operating the f/v MIDGET MAID. Winter moorage at John Wayne Marina Sequim, Washington.
2022: Roundtrip from Sequim Bay for Haul out at Port Townsend April 13 to November 22 and another shipyard from April 29 to June 15 2023 to satisfy USCG required repairs. 2023: Transited from Port Townsend to Port Angeles for fuel and then directly to False Pass and Naknek Alaska for tendering operations for Copper River Seafoods. Transited to Chignik post season and directly from Castle Cape to Cape Flattery stopping at John Wayne Marina and Port Townsend before shifting to Port Orchard for winter layup.
EXPRESS (now ALEUTIAN EXPRESS) 125’ Steel Salmon Tender. Transited from the Seattle ship canal to Port Townsend shipyard August 8 2005. Completed audio gauge/survey hull repairs. Crossed Gulf of Alaska Seattle to Kodiak June 2006 to Bristol Bay. Tender contract with Norquest Seafoods. Finished 2006 season tendering salmon around Kodiak Island for Global Seafoods. Kodiak to Naknek 2007 Bristol Bay season. August 2007 solo trip Kodiak to Westport Washington, winter layup at Port Orchard Washington. April- May Port Townsend Shipyard haul out aft cabin addition, constructed foremast. Transit to Bristol Bay, packed over one million pounds of sockeye salmon for Trident Seafoods. Purchased fish pump at Kodiak, tendered Chignik salmon for International Seafoods in Kodiak. Motors ailed to Port Orchard Washington October 2008. 2009: round trip Port Orchard to Bristol Bay via Kodiak & SE Alaska Salmon tendering for SNOPAC Products Inc. May 2010: Departed Washington for the herring grounds at Togiak Alaska and Bristol Bay salmon operations for North Pacific Seafoods, return trip early September across Gulf of Alaska for winter repairs at Port Orchard Washington. 2011 season: Haul out at Port Townsend, Washington, loaded cargo at Anacortes, transited direct to Chignik Alaska under contract with Trident Seafoods. Post season round trip Chignik to Kodiak salvage tow of f/v BEAR from Chignik to Homer, port call at Seward and Kodiak, cargo run to Chignik Lagoon then direct transit to Port Orchard Washington for winter repair, top rail replacement. 2012: demolished and replaced wheelhouse roof, additional captain stateroom, pilot station and mid mast construction. Transited direct from Sequim Bay to Chignik Alaska (6 days) for tender operations. Transited Chignik to Kodiak, then motor sailing on to Port Orchard Washington for winter renovations. 2013: finished interior welding for remodeled wheelhouse, galley and aft cabin. Removed old interior foam insulation and wood framing. Primed & painted all interior steel/replaced with new lumber, new electrical, plumbing, and foam insulation. Transit from Port Orchard to Bristol Bay for tender operations and late summer operations in Cook Inlet and Kodiak Island waters. Winter 2013/2014 at Auke Bay Juneau, Alaska for main propulsion repower and repairs. 2014: Bristol Bay and Kodiak salmon tender operations, transited Kodiak to Port Orchard, Washington (solo trip) for winter repairs and renovations. 2015: transit from Port Orchard to King Cove and on to Bristol Bay for tender operations and return to Sequim Bay from Chignik Lagoon in October for shipyard a November haul out at Port Townsend. Another haul out from late April to early June 2016 was completed at Port Townsend with a new survey and USCG fishing vessel inspection. Renamed vessel ALEUTIAN EXPRESS combining previous name ALEUTIAN NATIVE with existing name EXPRESS since 1939.
NESIKA 60’ Sampson ketch Motor-sailor; owned and operated as Wind and Sea Adventures and Alaska Peninsula Adventures since 1994. Areas navigated: Seattle Washington to Chignik Alaska (May 1997) to Honolulu Hawaii (October 1997), French Frigate Shoals, several trips between Honolulu and Kiribati (one solo) transporting fishing supplies. Charter to Palmyra and numerous deep-sea charters around the Hawaiian Islands. Non-Passenger Charter to Pago Pago Samoa (Solo Return Nov 2000). Final voyage from Honolulu to Dana Point California (1-3-04 to 1-17-04) delivered to San Diego Ca. for new owners in Costa Rica. Traded + cash for 38’ steel Josh Slocum Spray replica (EDDIE) renamed KELSEY SEA.
KELSEY SEA 38’ Steel Joshua Slocum Spray; Took delivery at Sausalito, Ca. sailed to Dana point Ca. Named for Daughter Kelsey (sold February 2020 at Honolulu).
ITA 30’ Rawson sloop; operated since 1990 sailing day sails and inter-island charters throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Contracted with MWR Services at Hickam Air Force Base dba Hickam Harbor Sailing Charters, also had a permit with the U.S. Navy to operate in Pearl Harbor. (sold may 2007)
LE PRIX 22’ Pearson Ensign sloop; Owned from 1983 to 1990, Sailed southern California to Puget Sound waters.
VESSELS OPERATED:
Simon JR 85’ Offshore Utility vessel supporting Commercial Divers in ship hull cleaning operation. October 7 to 15th 2022. Departed New Orleans Louisiana to Fourchon Louisiana then to Galveston Texas both stops for crew change then to offshore of Corpus Christi for hydraulic hull cleaning and delivery to Corpus Christi. MIDGET MAID 42' Delta Salmon tender. Chignik, Alaska Captain 2020 and 2021 seasons for Trident Seafoods. REPUBLIC 115' Steel Salmon Tender 2018 captained from July 29th to September 17th after failed Chignik Run and cancelled contract for ALEUTIAN EXPRESS. Prince William Sound, Lower Cook Inlet and Kodiak areas. KLAUS WYRTKI 57’ Bruno Stillman Research Vessel; on as needed basis Captain for the University of Hawaii Marine Center (SOEST) 2001 to 2004 notably a NASA charter conducted by NOAA Scientists led by Dennis Clark to calibrate the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Satellite) and SeaWiFS (Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor) responsible for monitoring the Earth’s Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll. KING DIAMOND II 90’ Rodriguez Fishing Vessel; Delivered from Ensenada Mexico to Bluefields Nicaragua via the Panama Canal (2-2003) with 1 crewman (Dad) MAKALII 51’ Beneteau Oceanis, GAUGAN 43’ Beneteau, and ESCAPADE 54’ Hunter; Have operated for Honolulu Sailing Company periodically since 1997 sailing charter guests in Hawaiian waters. VIDA MIA 62’ Stephens Bros; Relief Captain for charters in Honolulu 1997 to 2001. ALEUTIAN VENTURE 60’ Modified LCM; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender, (packed over 2,000,000 pounds of Sockeye Salmon) 1999 season. DIANA 42’ Delta; Chignik Alaska Purse seiner; 1998 season. NICOLE DANIELLE 42’ DELTA; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender 1997 Season. ROXANNE 32’ Stern-picker; Dutch Harbor 1995, Searched for unexploded Japanese torpedo for UXB int. MISS PEGGY 38’ Leclerq; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender 1994,1995,1996 Seasons SOCKEYE 56’ LCM; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender 1990,1991,1992 Seasons CREWED: since 1978 Salmon, Herring, Halibut, Black Cod, Cod, Shrimp; (Lower Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound, Area M, Kodiak, Chignik). 10 winters Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska King, Tanner and Opillio Crab OTHER INTERESTS, SKILLS, EDUCATION; Private Pilot since 1990, Red/Black Belt Martial Art of Hapkido, Hawaii Big Wave Surfer (appeared in 5 scenes of surf movie ENDLESS SUMMER II surfing Waimea Bay Hawaii 1992). Studies included Physical Oceanography, Geology, Marine Biology and attended the Scripps Institution of Oceanography studying Ichthyology (1988). Off boat work: ALL AMERICAN A-Z HANDYMAN working solo all trades. North San Diego County and Oahu, Hawaii.
VESSELS OPERATED:
Simon JR 85’ Offshore Utility vessel supporting Commercial Divers in ship hull cleaning operation. October 7 to 15th 2022. Departed New Orleans Louisiana to Fourchon Louisiana then to Galveston Texas both stops for crew change then to offshore of Corpus Christi for hydraulic hull cleaning and delivery to Corpus Christi. MIDGET MAID 42' Delta Salmon tender. Chignik, Alaska Captain 2020 and 2021 seasons for Trident Seafoods. REPUBLIC 115' Steel Salmon Tender 2018 captained from July 29th to September 17th after failed Chignik Run and cancelled contract for ALEUTIAN EXPRESS. Prince William Sound, Lower Cook Inlet and Kodiak areas. KLAUS WYRTKI 57’ Bruno Stillman Research Vessel; on as needed basis Captain for the University of Hawaii Marine Center (SOEST) 2001 to 2004 notably a NASA charter conducted by NOAA Scientists led by Dennis Clark to calibrate the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Satellite) and SeaWiFS (Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor) responsible for monitoring the Earth’s Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll. KING DIAMOND II 90’ Rodriguez Fishing Vessel; Delivered from Ensenada Mexico to Bluefields Nicaragua via the Panama Canal (2-2003) with 1 crewman (Dad) MAKALII 51’ Beneteau Oceanis, GAUGAN 43’ Beneteau, and ESCAPADE 54’ Hunter; Have operated for Honolulu Sailing Company periodically since 1997 sailing charter guests in Hawaiian waters. VIDA MIA 62’ Stephens Bros; Relief Captain for charters in Honolulu 1997 to 2001. ALEUTIAN VENTURE 60’ Modified LCM; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender, (packed over 2,000,000 pounds of Sockeye Salmon) 1999 season. DIANA 42’ Delta; Chignik Alaska Purse seiner; 1998 season. NICOLE DANIELLE 42’ DELTA; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender 1997 Season. ROXANNE 32’ Stern-picker; Dutch Harbor 1995, Searched for unexploded Japanese torpedo for UXB int. MISS PEGGY 38’ Leclerq; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender 1994,1995,1996 Seasons SOCKEYE 56’ LCM; Chignik Alaska Salmon Tender 1990,1991,1992 Seasons CREWED: since 1978 Salmon, Herring, Halibut, Black Cod, Cod, Shrimp; (Lower Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound, Area M, Kodiak, Chignik). 10 winters Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska King, Tanner and Opillio Crab OTHER INTERESTS, SKILLS, EDUCATION; Private Pilot since 1990, Red/Black Belt Martial Art of Hapkido, Hawaii Big Wave Surfer (appeared in 5 scenes of surf movie ENDLESS SUMMER II surfing Waimea Bay Hawaii 1992). Studies included Physical Oceanography, Geology, Marine Biology and attended the Scripps Institution of Oceanography studying Ichthyology (1988). Off boat work: ALL AMERICAN A-Z HANDYMAN working solo all trades. North San Diego County and Oahu, Hawaii.
John Clutter hanging in the lip as Kelly Slater drops in (Waimea Bay 12-14-92. Jeff Divine photo, Surfer Magazine May 1993
ENDLESS SUMMER II Bruce Brown Waimea Bay John Clutter at the bottom turning to outrun the wave 9-14-1992
NESIKA at Keehi Marine Center loading cargo for Kiribati. Jim Clutter (Dad) secures car tires. Approaching Christmas Island in photo below (one of 4 trips).
Scripps Ocean Plastics forum 11-6-2018 with professor Walter Munk
Dad at Bluefields Nicaragua 2-2003
My family aboard Balclutha 5-6-1995
Sailing Pearl Harbor with Mom & Dad ITA 11-1995
KELSEY SEA at Lahaina Maui 11-2008
MAKAHA 2016
Sequim Bay 6-2012
Kelsey & Kaley STAR of INDIA 2010
Jim Clutter off West Costa Rica 2-2003
Kelsey at the wheel of ITA with Sam Cucinell Keehi Lagoon Oahu 2014
Dad on NESIKA heading to Kiribati