Tribute to Everett’s fishermen takes shape

Published 3:58 pm Tuesday, December 29, 2009

EVERETT — If things go as planned, a new statue honoring the region’s commercial fishermen will be installed on the Everett waterfront this spring or early summer.

The bronze statue designed by Sultan artist Kevin Pettelle will be of a fisherman with traditional clothing and gear hauling in a net. Pettelle recently sent a computer rendering of the rough idea to a Fisherman’s Tribute Committee, which has been raising funds to pay for the work.

“Isn’t it something,” said Barbara Piercey, who joined Kay Zuanich more than five years ago in promoting the idea of a tribute to the once-thriving commercial fishing fleet based in Everett.

Piercey noted that Pettelle continues to work on the details for the clothing and equipment in the statue, but she said the group has been impressed with what it has seen so far.

“I’m confident we’ll get something we’ll be pleased with,” she said.

Piercey said the group was able to find old-style nets, boots and oilcloth rain gear that Pettelle is using as a model.

There’s no doubt the antique rain gear used for the model is authentic.

“It still had fish scales on it,” Piercey noted.

Pettelle produced a small model using a computer program so that family members and friends from the fishing community could make suggestions, Piercey said.

Ultimately, the finished bronze will be placed in an area already prepared at the Port of Everett’s 12th Street yacht basin near what will be its new administration building.

Piercey said no date has been set, but the group is hoping for a dedication in the fall. “We’re all just thrilled,” she said.

Everett’s Fisherman’s Tribute

A bronze statue honoring commercial fishermen will be paid for with private funds from the Fisherman’s Tribute Committee.

Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation can do so in care of the Everett Foundation Fisherman’s Tribute Project, P.O. Box 5549, Everett, WA 98206.