Coast Guard Boats off the shores of Beach Drive: Water Rescue – Sunken Vessel

EDITORS NOTE: We will continue to update this post throughout the day as the story of the sunken vessel and fuel spill off of Beach Drive continues.

Two armed Coast Guard boats that typically escort Washington Ferries are cruising the shores off Beach Drive. They seem to be spending a lot of time by the crane and one of the boats has a crew member at one of the gun stations.

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Update: it appears to be a water rescue off of 5411 Beach Dr SW per Seattle 9-1-1.

Update 8:34 am: it appears that "loader" type boat used in delivering rocks to this bulkhead capsized this morning. More info (and photos) to follow.

Update 8:58 am: King 5 News reports that the vessel that sank is 75 feet long and an obsorbant oil boom is being deployed. West Seattle Blog reports that no one was believed to be on board – King 5 news states it is unknown and that divers are in the water.

Update 9:05 am: it looks like this vessel sank around high tide, which was 11.1 ft at 7:30 am, we're heading towards a low tide of 6.1 at 1:00 pm.

The vessel is tied to the crane/barge operated by Waterfront Construction.

The 75 foot vessel appeared to have been a WWII landing craft that was being used to deliver rocks for the building of the new bulkhead off Beach Drive. It sank about 100 yards from a very popular dive spot "The Rock Pile" that is rich with ling cod and other bottom fish.

 

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Update 9:30 am: Here is a photo we captured last Wednesday which includes a landing craft, quite possibly the one that is now sank and leaving fuel.

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This photo of The Justin, was taken on October 4, 2011.

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Update 10:00am booms being deployed to try to contain the fuel spill.

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This appears to be the back up crane that may be used in recovering the sunken vessel along with two Coast Guard ships.

 

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Update 10:50 am: Efforts to contain the fuel spill.

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Update 12:42 pm: Attempts to lift the sunk vessel are taking place with water being pumped off the crane/barge.

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Looks like boats from NRC (National Resource Consultants?) are on scene to check out impacts on the environment.

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Update 1:30pm (hat tip West Seattle Blog via Twitter) from the Coast Guard's News Release:

It has been confirmed that no one was on board when the vessel sank. The owner of the vessel has reported there is approximately 300 gallons of diesel and 50 gallons of motor oil on board. There is an approximate 600 by 300-foot sheen on the water.

A sheen of diesel fuel this size will deteriorate as it is exposed to elements and natural wave action, but petroleum spills of any size cause environmental damage to water.

The responsible party has contracted National Response Corp. Environmental Services, which is on scene deploying boom, a skimmer and absorbent pads to contain and absorb the spill. They have also contracted divers to contain potential pollution. As the vessel was sinking, efforts were made by the responsible party to plug the fuel vents to prevent pollution.

Agencies are flying over the scene to survey the spill.

This photo just in from Scupper: "Safety is Everyone's Business"

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4:50 pm update: a news truck has been parked by Emma Schmitz View Point next to an NCS dumpster.

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Scupper picked up this hard hat with other trash.

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Update 5:00pm: Channel 7 reports that the barge was damaged by the sinking vessel and was taking on water which is why the water was being pumped out.

KOMO-4 has footage interviewing Scupper, who was giving the media rides on the BDB Zodiak for close up views. A lot of the close-up footage is courtesy of Scupper – tune in at 6:00 and 11:00!

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Door to Door Pushy Salesman Alert

I just received this email from a neighbor in the 4700-4800 block of Beach Drive:

We just dealt with a pushy salesperson Pushy salesperson on Beach Dr SW who would not take no for an answer (…male with white pants and red tie). Had to threaten to call police before he would leave our front door. Unusual for these door to door sales individuals to be that aggressive.

We had a man wearing white pants and a red jacket just trying to sell or "just wanting to talk for a few minutes" at our home moments ago too.  No thanks!

 

 

Happening Now: Jacobsen closed for Downed Tree

Jacobsen (approx. 4700 and Beach Drive SW) is closed for a large tree that started coming down earlier today.  Crews are on location to finish removing the rest of the tree.

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NOTE:  Jacobsen reopened a few hours after this post.

Fire in Olympic National Forest seen from Beach Drive

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Hopefully nobody is harmed in this fire that is reported to be 3 acres and expected to grow. It should make for an incredible sunset tonight.

What’s With the Helicopters?

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You may have noticed the low flying helicopters today and wondering "what's up?"  The Office of Radiation Protection is measuring levels of radiation to create a base-line. According to their website, this has nothing to do with the recent events in Japan.

The sampling will be taking place in neighborhoods in King and Pierce Counties from today through July 28, 2011.

Don’t Forget to Stamp Out Hunger

2011-05-14_11-21-18_410 Today's the day to leave canned goods for your mail carrier to pick up in the blue plastic bags they gave out last week for their annual Stamp Out Hunger campaign.

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

Filming is taking place today at the Beach Drive home for Ira Finklestein's Christmas.

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The street is lined with cars, movie crew vans and motorhomes across from Emma Schmitz Viewpoint.

Actor Elliott Gould may be on location for this shooting which is suppose to be a condo in Florida.  He has the role of Ira's grandfather in the movie.

Update 11:45 am – just visited "the set".  It's amazing to see whats transformed in our neighbors home.  Pictured below is David DeLuise and Elliott Gould.

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 Elliott Gould shows Tazi, the home owners' dog, some love in between takes.

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Update 12:30 pm.

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David DeLuise rehearsing lines on Jacobsen.

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The home to the left is also being used for a place for the actors and crew to change wardrobe, eat and to hang out during breaks from filming.

Vans packed with gear and costumes line Beach Drive with motorhomes and cars.

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Update 6:00 pm.  The living room windows are blacked out and portions of the back yard were tarped for filming "evening scenes".   DeLuise just left the set for the evening.

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Also Happening Now: Salty’s Half Marathon

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This morning at 8:15 a.m. marathoners began a half marathon starting at Salty's at Alki with course going on Beach Drive into Lincoln Park.  

The sidewalks will be a little busier this morning than normal.  We may need to be extra careful when backing out of hidden driveways. 

The marathon ends at 11:15 a.m.

Happening Now: Coast Guard Search for Kayaker off Blake Island

The Coast Guard hellicopter flying over is part of search effort to locate a missing kayaker near Vashon Island and Blake Island this morning.    The Coast Guard was alerted by a Washington State Ferry Tillicum at 6:05 this morning of an orange kayak with a lifejacket and a paddle onboard.  

If you have any information, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at 206-217-6001.

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You can read the Coast Guard's News Release here.

Enjoy breakfast this morning and support West Seattle Hi-Yu

The West Seattle Hi-Yu Community Brunch takes place this morning beginning at 9:00 am and ending at noon.   Come on out and support the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu candidates, including Beach Drive resident, Kelsey Porter.

The coronation of 2010's Miss West Seattle HiYu takes place tomorrow night at the West Seattle High School.  You can purchase tickets at this morning's brunch for $10 or pay $15 at the door.

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The brunch takes place at the Alki UCC Church located at 6112 SW Hinds.   The suggested donation is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12 supporing the Hi-Yu scholarshp program.   The menu features bacon, sausage, eggs, fresh fruit salad and pastries.

The community breakfast is hosted by Don and Sheryl Bogie.   According to the West Seattle Herald:

Don Bogie promises a great, fresh breakfast, "I cut the fruit salad that morning" and notes that "It really is community because you see the same people every year."

Side note:  Don Bogie is the 2008 Seattle Weekly's Best Bartender.

The photos are from the West Seattle Grand Parade yesterday.  You can view more of my photo's by clicking here.