Governor's Heritage Award - Michael Vlahovich

Michael Vlahovich of Tacoma is a third generation fisherman and a nationally known master builder and restorer of wooden boats. His family came to this country at the beginning of the twentieth century from the island of Brac, on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. His love for purse seine fishing boats came from years of experience with his father and uncles. Vlahovich’s skills came from watching and working with first and second generation Croatian immigrants who worked in the Tacoma area’s many boat yards. He also studied wooden boat construction at the Bates Technical School. A dedicated teacher, he volunteers time and resources to preserving and documenting the occupational traditions of fishing, seafaring, and boatbuilding. Vlahovich has reached out to schools and individuals to encourage apprenticeships and ensure the preservation of these important maritime traditions.