Port officials: Emergency declaration premature, lift tires OK for heavy loads

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It appears that a recently declared emergency by the Port of Port Townsend over replacement tires for its 300-ton marine lift was a bit premature.

According to Eron Berg, executive director of the Port, the expensive new tires that first appeared to be underrated for the heavy duty work are actually just what the marine lift needs.

The confusion over the tires — which carry a heavy price tag of $12,500 apiece — became a bit overinflated after a member of the Port’s maintenance staff reached out to the manufacturer of the tires. A representative from the company stated that the tires were not rated to safely handle the hefty loads frequently hauled by the lift. The advice prompted the declaration of emergency and a push to get new tires to substitute for the replacement tires, an urgent need given the heavy use of the lift in autumn.

The declaration allowed the Port to circumvent the traditional bidding process for large expenses.

But, Berg said, he may have sounded the alarm a little early.

The hitch seems to have risen from a disagreement between Michelin, the tire manufacturer, and Marine Travelift, the manufacturer of the Port’s lift.

The Port has decided to take the advice of the maker of the lift, and not the tires.

“Marine Travelift is saying we got the right tire, so it seems like we rang the bell too soon on that one,” Berg said.

Berg said he believes the mix-up stemmed from  Michelin’s opinion on what the company considers suitable for their tires while under certain loads.

“It sounds like there’s a bit of a disagreement about the ratings system,” Berg explained. “These tires are actually manufactured for large earth-moving machines that are rated to be able to drive, I think, up to 30 mph with loads over rough surfaces. Our lifts move mere feet per minute on smooth surfaces.”

The Port replaced four of the lift’s tires this summer, a fifth tire was purchased earlier after it had been damaged while in use.

Berg said the Port is currently working with Marine Travelift to replace the last three of the remaining original tires.

“What we’re doing now is working with Marine Travelift directly to get the last three [tires] that should give us a complete set of eight, plus the spare,” Berg said.