(Photo by Olivia Schmidt/KFSK)
Petersburg’s OBI Seafoods processing plant hit an important yearly milestone on Monday, August 12, with 100,000 cases of fish packed. To celebrate, the plant blew its steam whistle for all to hear. But that whistle came a little later than usual.
Cannery foreman Jeff Randrup was lifted into the air by a yellow forklift. As he moved slowly upward, he adjusted his protective gear, including a face shield and ear muffs. When the platform became level with the plant’s main whistle, he reached out, grasped a rope — and pulled.
What followed was about four minutes of different tones and chords, as Randrup alternated between different frequencies and smaller whistles. The sound echoed through the downtown of Petersburg, where one of the town’s canneries had just hit 100,000 cases of pink salmon. But Randrup said they’re a little bit behind from last year.
“It’s a bit later than last year,” said Randrup. “This is a down year.”
Officially, the cannery hit the same milestone about a week earlier last year. But, going back further in the company’s history shows that there’ve been similar dates for the whistle in the past. For example, in 2021, it was blown on the 10th.
Despite a slower start this year, Randrup said he sees his team working hard.
“I guess what I wanna say is: it takes a long time to get the proper people in order to run the plant,” said Randrup. “We have a good staff and I’m really appreciative, and I guess what I want to say is I love being here.”
He said the community should keep its ears peeled in the coming weeks. The whistle might sound again if OBI reaches 200,000 cases by the end of the season.
