Boats

It’s Seattle’s Fault

April 1, 2023 by rhonda Leave a Comment

Well actually, it’s the Seattle fault-line that has attracted all the recent research vessels off of Beach Drive lately. Both the UW and NOAA have been busy documenting the increasing number of methane plumes in this area.

“Several more fissures and severe uplifting have occurred since inadvertently discovering large plumes of methane bubbles in 2011”, according to UW’s Professor of Seismology Roy Hinkley.

An early study suggested that the bubbles in Puget Sound might be coming up from this underlying subduction zone. In mapping these plumes, it became clear that large numbers that were aligned along geologic fault zones known as the Seattle, Tacoma and South Whidbey faults. But the greatest number of plumes occurred where the faults intersects, such as off Alki Point in West Seattle.

Most recently, research vessels using remotely operated vehicles have discovered dramatic uplifting formations along the southern edge of the Seattle Faultline which runs roughly from Emma Schmitz View Point to Restoration Point on Bainbridge Island.

A Seattle based spokesperson for NOAA, Natalie Schafer, said that NOAA is busy surveying seafloor depths and updating NOAA marine charts. “At the rate of subduction uplifting, we may see small islets formations cropping up between Blakely Rock and Alki Point in the next 20 years”.

The most recently updated NOAA chart now reveals the budding islands.

Depths shown in feet.

Move over, Blake Island! You’ll have company soon.

Scupper, reporting for BDB.

Filed Under: Boats, Just for fun, Puget Sound, Scupper

What’s with the big white boat off Emma Schmitz Memorial View Point?

October 17, 2022 by rhonda 1 Comment

We believe that this is a UW research boat, The Thomas G. Thompson, to investigate methane gas that’s bubble plumes.

“In mapping the bubble plumes, it became clear that large numbers were aligned along geologic fault zones, primarily the ones running east and west, known as the Seattle, Tacoma and South Whidbey faults. Others lined up with smaller north-south faults, but the greatest number of bubble plumes occurred where the faults intersected, such as off Alki Point in West Seattle.”

Filed Under: Boats, Puget Sound Tagged With: puget sound, research, uw

Port Approves Waters off Beach Drive for Commercial Anchorage

April 1, 2022 by rhonda 4 Comments

Update: April 2nd
This April 1st post is quickly developing as Beach Drive residents stormed the port offices last night and negotiated to replace proposed freighter/cargo anchorages with underwater cradles for our submarine fleet. Crisis averted; future views restored!

Scupper

The comment period regarding commercial shipping being allowed to use waters off West Seattle’s Beach Drive for temporary anchorages ended on March 31st. A port spokesperson stated that the additional “temporary” anchorages will go a long ways to solve our regional supply chain issues “the port’s current overflow anchorage in Manchester WA has helped alleviate our additional needs in a robust economy but is not nearly enough to satisfy the pandemic caused surplus of inbound shipping”. He went on the say that ships bound for our waters are having to wait off our coast for up to two weeks before port and anchorage capacity is available causing fears of environmental disaster as seasonal weather systems can jeopardize safety at sea.

The approved plan is to immediately provide four cargo/container ship anchorages between the Fauntleroy ferry terminal to the south and roughly Alki Point to the north. Anticipated need is predicted though the first half of 2023 but the permit is valid through 2025.

The Port together with the CG will closely monitor the anchorage and has made the following assurances:

• When ships are fueled, all operations must be encircled by a boom
• Ships may not dump grey water. — from activities like laundry, dishwashing and bathing — or blackwater, from toilets. They’re required to dump it after they reach shore.
• A Coast Guard radar tracks when a vessel moves beyond its swing circle, and an alarm sounds.

Other concerns voiced by Beach Drive residents that were addressed:

While anchored, ships must keep their deck lights on high enough that crew members can move about safely, said CG Cmdr. Bill Bligh, chief of prevention. They need to run generators for power, but are encouraged not to slam hatches or grind metal, particularly after 8 p.m. “although nothing specifies exactly how bright or loud they can be”.

Beach Drive Blog will update this post as information becomes available.

Scupper, reporting for the BDB

Filed Under: Boats, Just for fun, Scupper

Beach Drive Exclusive: 4th of July Boat Parade!

July 4, 2020 by rhonda Leave a Comment

We have been informed that the first annual 4th of July Boat Parade will by cruising along the shores off Beach Drive this afternoon. The parade is sponsored by Alki Yacht Club and The Mortgage Porter.

Any neighbor with a boat that can cruise 4 knots (we will make accommodations for slower craft) is welcome to tag along. The parade will start at 2:30 pm today in front of the volly ball courts at Alki and make it’s way around Alki Point, ending at Lincoln Park.

The most decorated vessel will win a Alki Yacht Club burgee. Runner up will receive a commemorative 2020 Mariners baseball schedule magnet.

Filed Under: Alki, Boats, Breaking News, Events

UPDATED: Derelict Boat drifting off Beach Drive

January 31, 2019 by rhonda 2 Comments

Around 3:30 this afternoon, we called the Coastguard when it appeared a boat was adrift. From our view point, we could not see if there was anyone on board. The Coastguard asked if we could send them a photo to help identify the boat (picture is above).

The intrepid reporter, Scupper and I hopped into our car to see if we could get a better vantage point of the boat. We called the Coastguard once we noticed that there was a person on-board (on the dinghy) and that the boat was getting dangerously close to Harbor West Condominiums.

The disabled cabin cruiser was pinned against the pilings of Harbor West Condos. The Coastguard confirmed with us that he is out of immediate danger as the boat seemed secured, and that they’re leaving.

Update:
A big turnout from both the Seattle Police and Seattle Fire Departments.

The boat was able to get free of the condo’s pilings and began to drift towards the reef just as the SPD and SFD boats arrived.

It appeared as though the boater did not want any help. He was in his dinghy pulling the boat away from the SPD and SFD just missing the reef by inches.

Seattle Fire Department was able to secure the boat and the boat operator.

Update: the boat is slowly being towed. We are wondering where it will end up.

Update 6:09 pm.

We are at Don Armeni boat launch where the Seattle Fire Department appear to be preparing to dock the boat.

Update 6:31pm

The boat is now secured at Don Armeni boat ramp.

Scupper assisted with helping to secure the boat to the dock.

The inhabitant on the boat stayed below deck while Scupper was assisting the fire and rescue crew.

It’s Scupper’s opinion that this boat has not been under it’s own power for some time and his dinghy is used to maneuver the boat. It appears to be a derelict live-aboard boat.

It will be interesting to see what happens next. Obviously the boat cannot stay at Don Armeni tied to the boat ramp.

The Department of Natural Resources has a program for derelict boats but it appears that this man does not want to give up this boat/home.

EDITORS NOTE: This was a “live” post that was mostly done from my cell phone. My apologies for any typo’s I didn’t catch! We also have videos posted at www.facebook.com/beachdriveblog

Filed Under: Boats Tagged With: boat, harbor west condos

Sailboat aground at Emma Schmitz Viewpoint

October 2, 2018 by rhonda 8 Comments

EDITORS NOTE: Scroll down for updates to this post.

morning, SV Pointless buoy pulled up and she drifted into the rocks at Emma Schmitz View Point.

I know about SV Pointless because she belongs to my husband, aka Beach Drive Blog’s intrepid reporter, Scupper.

It has been gut-wrenching to watch. We are forever grateful to our wonderful neighbors who have stopped by to help and who have sent well wishes.

The Coast Guard will not tow a boat that’s ashore. They were only really interested in protecting life (understandably) and were willing to rescue hubby if needed.

SPD’s crew has to get through the locks before they can do anything – that’s an hour wait. The Seattle Fire Department was the only contact we had and, like the Coast Guard, they will not tow either.

Vessel Assist would not come out because of the small craft advisory.

Over the years, we’ve heard from neighbors who enjoy having SV Pointless as part of their view. It’s been a sign of summer. Let’s hope she can be safely recovered.

UPDATE October 4, 2018:

Photo credit: Pamela K Volkman Garrett

Photo credit: Pamela K Volkman Garrett

S/V Pointless was successfully removed from the shores Emma Schmitz Viewpoint yesterday thanks to Global Salvage and many neighbors and friends, including fine folks from West Seattle Yacht Club.

She is now “on the hard” where she is being surveyed for damage. Scupper and First Mate Pat were aboard for her journey to Ballard and report that there were no noticeable leaks.

I’m sure she will be back for our viewing pleasure next summer OFF the shores of Beach Drive.

Photo credit: Rhonda Porter, unless otherwise noted.

Filed Under: Boats, Current Affairs, Parks Tagged With: Pointless, west seattle yacht club