Albert Jensen & Sons, Inc. (aka Jensen Shipyard) has been in business at 1293 Turn Point Road, Friday Harbor since 1910.

To celebrate its maritime business longevity, the shipyard will host an Anniversary Party on Sept. 18, noon to 4 p.m. The company says everyone is welcome to come enjoy fresh fish and barbecued beef while it lasts. There will be historical photos to see, as well as several Jensen-built boats to visit. Additional parking is available across the street in the old gravel pit.

“To the best of our knowledge, we are the oldest family-owned business operating at the same location, open for consecutive years of business, in the county,” said Jeri Lynn Ahrenius, the granddaughter of founder Albert Jensen.

Prior to 1910, Albert, his father and his brothers built boats on Griffin Bay near the end of what is now known as Jensen Bay Road. Since establishing the Shipyard in 1910, Albert Jensen and his son, Nourdine, built more than 150 boats at the current location. The Wynsum was the last boat built in 1983 and is moored at Jensen Shipyard docks.

In the late 1980s, Nourdine’s daughter Jeri and son-in-law, Mike Ahrenius, moved to the island and began working for the family business. Nourdine was often asked through the years when he was going to retire. His response was always, “Why would I want to do that?” He worked to the very end, passing away just after his 95th birthday in 2009.

Today, Nord’s granddaughter, Alisa Schoultz, is employed at the yard. Other employees are Duane Davis, Richard Mathews and John Thomas.

For more information about the celebration, or if you have contact information for locally owned Jensen-built boats, call the shipyard at 360-378-4343.