Sailboat aground at Emma Schmitz Viewpoint

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.

Happening Now at Mee Kwa Mooks

There is a large gathering of motorcyclist at Mee Kwa Mooks park.  Right now, as I write this post, there are about 80 bikes and there are anticipated to be 400 bikes joining the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. This fundraiser takes place worldwide today.

 

Found: Blue Parakeet

A Beach Drive neighbor says:

“Spotted a lost blue parakeet on the railing near the north end of Constellation Park at Benton Pl SW & Beach Dr SW about 2:40 this afternoon. It then flew from the water side of the street to the pine trees at the north end of the treatment plant.”

Are you missing a kayak?

A sit-upon kayak was recovered earlier this morning near Lowman Beach Park. If this kayak is yours, or someone you know, please call Larry at 206-200-4677 with a description of the kayak.

We hope it’s back with the owner soon!

Car accident this morning

Around 3:00 am this morning, a vehicle struck a utility pole on Beach Drive around the 5400 block. According to a neighbor, tow trucks are now on scene and the roads are still closed as I write this post (7:30 am). We have not heard how the passenger(s) are doing after the emergency rescue.

Pair of Bald Eagles


These two beautiful birds were sharing a rock in front of Emma Schmitz View Point until a pesky seagull decided to try chasing one away.

Happening Now: Power Paddle to Puyallup

If you’re lucky enough to be home right now or near a Beach Drive Park, look to Puget Sound to see Native Americans participating in their annual canoe trek. This year’s event is the Power Paddle to Puyallup. The tribes plan to arrive in Puyallup tomorrow with 108 tribal nations participating.

You can hear some of the participants sing as they paddle against the current and tide as they head south.

This is always such a treat to witness!

Lowest Tides of the year & Starfish sightings

Tomorrow’s -3.7 tide represents the lowest of the year & gives beach combers a good opportunity to see how the starfish recovery is going. Sea star Waisting Desease nearly wiped out our entire local populations starting back in 2013.

I spoke to a neighbor that had walked a few blocks of low tide shoreline along Beach Drive today. She mentioned only seeing 3 starfish clinging some of the larger rocks but was happy to report that they were making a big comeback just north of Seattle along Discovery Park. She went on to say that “biologists were stunned how fast the recovery was coming along”.

While scientists claim we’re not out of the woods yet in the Salish Sea, they’re optimistic that we’re near the end of the epidemic.

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Drill Baby Drill!

Soil samples are now being taken at Emma Schmitz Memorial View Point. According to our intrepid reporter, Scupper, they are going down 60 feet. This is for the upcoming improvements to the deteriorating seawall.

Photo credit: Scupper

Seawall project starting sooner than expected

Construction of the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook Seawall Project was projected to begin this Fall according to BDB sources from the Army Corp of Engineers. Yet, it appears that construction, ahem, “design” work will commence within a week. This info sign was just installed at the park….


Anticipated impact to neighbors and the public will include drilling/boring equipment taking soil samples from numerous locations along the 450′ stretch of seawall. Constructing the actual wall has been updated to “TBD”.

Sooner the better is my opinion for getting this done. Fall might be too late for the tattered original structure.

From the City of Seattle’s press release:

Soil borings and sampling at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the City of Seattle, and Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) are collaborating on the Emma Schmitz seawall repair. Together we are ensuring a successful cost-sharing program to restore shoreline protection at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook in West Seattle. SPR entered into a Project Partnership Agreement with the Corps for the replacement of the seawall. The Corps is responsible for the design of the seawall, and one of the steps in the design process is to take soil borings to inform the final design. Drill equipment will be on site for several days starting the week of June 4.

Built circa 1927, the 450-foot stretch of seawall supports important City and County infrastructure, including a 54-inch sewer main, various Seattle Public Utilities drainage and wastewater lines, and Beach Drive Southwest road. The seawall is badly deteriorated, with a 30 percent chance of failure in the event of severe storm or tidal conditions. The new seawall will be built approximately 2 feet seaward and 2 feet higher than the existing wall, thus significantly improving the grade of this scenic viewpoint for the enjoyment of park users as well as ensuring long-term stability.

The implementation cost of the recommended plan is estimated to be more than $2 million, and will be cost-shared with 65 percent federal funds and 35 percent non-federal funds. The non-federal sponsor, SPR, is responsible for all lands, easements, right-of-ways, relocations, and/or disposal areas which are controlled by the sponsor.

The Corps is designing the seawall, and SPR will be designing the park amenities on top of the wall area. SPR will be holding a public meeting to provide information and gather input on these park amenities.

For more information on the boring and soil collection please visit http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Programs-and-Projects/Projects/Alki-Erosion-Control-Project-Seattle-WA/  or SPR Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook page: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/emma-schmitz-memorial-overlook

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog