Port of Edmonds Commissioner James Orvis was at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii last weekend for an event that seems especially fitting for someone who oversees port operations: A retired U.S. Navy Captain, Orvis spoke at the decommissioning ceremony for the USS Crommelin — 30 years after he became the commissioning commander for the ship, a guided missile frigate.

Orvis, who was first elected to the Port Commission in 2003, is a native of Kansas City, Missouri who graduate from Missiouri Valley College and receive his commission through the Officer Candidate School. During his Navy career he commanded four ships: The HighPoint, an experimental hydrofoil; The Pegasus, the first commissioned Navy hydrofoil; The Crommelin and The England, a new threat upgrade cruiser. Orvis also served in Vietnam with the Naval Advisory Group as a shipboard advisor to the Vietnamese Navy. He and his wife Mary move to Edmonds in December 1997, following his retirement.

Orvis was kind enough to answer questions about his trip for My Edmonds News:

Q: Has your Navy experience served you well as a Port Commissioner?

A: In addition to their warfare skills, Naval officers must be proficient in managing large, complex organizations. We supervise skilled professional people, many of whom operate large machines or complex electronics. We have to prepare and execute budgets involving very large sums of money. We are accountable for the performance of the organization we are assigned. Most important, service personnel learn to make decisions, we are not given the luxury of “kicking the can.” We have to choose a course of action. Often we must choose the lesser of two evils, but we must choose. For most people, this leads to looking at alternatives in a dispassionate manner, trying to honestly evaluate the pros and cons of any course of action, an ability useful in any endeavor. Finally, I love the sea and boats, which makes just being involved with the Port of Edmonds terrific.

Q:How did it come about that you were present at the decommissioning of the Crommelin?

A: USS Crommelin (FFG-37) was commissioned at Todd (now Vigor) Shipyard in Seattle, on June 18, 1983. I was the commissioning Commanding Officer. When it came time for the ship to be decommissioned, the Navy felt it appropriate to invite me to be the principle speaker at the ceremony. Thus, I was able to open and close the book on the ship’s service.

Q: What did it mean to you to attend the event?

A: The opportunity brought on a flood of wonderful memories. Crommelin was a great ship and I had a great crew, many of whom were at the decommissioning. It was a time to renew old ties, tell a few stories and be thankful for the opportunity to have been part of a unique experience. I am most thankful for the chance to be there.

Q: What was your most memorable moment during your time commanding the Crommelin?

A: My most memorable moment occurred the first time the ship got underway under its own power. The pilot lost control as we cleared our berth at Pier 36 in Seattle. Having to cast off tugs and take control of a ship I had never driven, with a green crew, in a confined space was an experience I shall never forget. After that, I felt I could handle anything. We got out unscathed, by the way.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?

A: The decommissioning gave those present an opportunity to reflect on how the world has changed in the last 30 years. The Soviet Union with its imposing ships, airplanes and missiles, no longer dominate our thinking. Though the threats are different, they are if anything more dangerous. The United States still needs access to the world’s oceans, and to ensure that, it requires ships, submarines, airplanes and men and women to operate them. When I commissioned USS Crommelin, it was one of the most modern ships in the world. Across the pier from it last week were ships that rendered it obsolete. It is amazing how fast things change in this modern world.