Oregon-built missions boat retired, replaced by 2 larger ships

BENICIA, Calif. - A Christian medical missions vessel that was built in Oregon in the mid-1980s is being replaced by two larger ships as the California-based ministry expands in a big way.

After 13 years of faithful service, the 71-foot medical catamaran Canvasback is being replaced by two 133-foot retired Coast Guard cutters that were donated to Canvasback Missions by the United States Congress a year ago.

It took a last-minute miracle, however, for Canvasback to actually take possession of the ships. One of the requirements stipulated by Congress was that the mission have $800,000 set aside for maintaining the ships.

When mission founder and executive director Jamie Spence landed in Washington, D.C. for the September signing ceremony transferring ownership, the mission was significantly short of the $800,000 required. Just before the ceremony began, Spence received a call with the news that Canvasback had received a written commitment for the remaining amount of money.

"Today," Spence said, "I am happy to announce that the ships are no longer the property of the U.S. government; they are the property of God's Navy."

Canvasback Missions, headed by Spence and his wife Jacque, is a non-profit ministry that delivers health care and health education to needy people of the South Pacific.

The original vessel was built by volunteers in the Hammond area of Warrenton near the mouth of the Columbia River. It took four and a half years from laying the keel to its christening, and the work of 200 volunteers. The catamaran had regularly returned to Oregon during those 13 years for overhauling in the Portland area.

Canvasback was decommissioned last April in a ceremony in California. The vessel is now for sale.

During 1998, Mike Hakanson, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor from Fort Bragg, Calif., took a leave of absence to serve as chaplain for Canvasback Missions. He spent much of the following months shepherding legislation through Congress authorizing the Coast Guard to donate the two retiring cutters - the White Holly and White Sage - to the ministry.

Those involved in the ministry say that receiving the two vessels took more than an act of Congress. It took an act of God. But their prayers were answered on Nov. 13, 1998, when the U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization bill was signed into law. "It marked the first time that Congress has transferred vessels to a non-profit organization to be actually put into service," said Hakanson.

The legislation also allowed the mission to take items off of other decommissioned Coast Guard vessels as needed. "They gave us the keys to a number of other ships, where we acquired everything from davits and anchors to shore boats," said Hakanson. Refitting of the new vessels is taking place in Baltimore, Md., where dock space has been provided by the Coast Guard. The two ships are valued at $4.6 million total. One ship will be placed into service in Micronesia, and the other in the Kingdom of Tonga.

A "sneak preview," including a video tour of the ships, will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clackamas Meeting and Banquet Facility, 15815 S.E. 82nd (behind Denny's). The event is free, but reservations are strongly suggested. For reservations, or more information on Canvasback Missions, phone 1-800-793-SAIL.