Beach Drive Blog

Found: Gym Bag

February 18, 2013 by rhonda Leave a Comment

We received this message last night from a BD neighbor:

This morning where 59th turns into Chilberg (corner with SW Douglas pl)- was a gym bag that had looked ruffled through, clothes pouring out of it, it seems as if someone had stolen it and gone through it then tossed it out. The clothes are nice outdoor and gym clothing – at least if the bag was stolen from someone’s car last night, they can get their clothing back?? Or if they drove off with it on top of their car?? I left it out on the corner hoping it was a neighbors, but no one has claimed it.

Filed Under: Lost and Found

Several Police Cars on Beach Drive

February 17, 2013 by rhonda Leave a Comment

Moments ago, we counted six or seven police cars on Beach Drive by Emma Schmitz View Point.

From the West Seattle Blog:

If you’ve seen the police response near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park and are wondering what’s going on: Police were looking for someone reported to be possibly in danger of harming himself, and, according to scanner traffic, found him, and were calling in an ambulance to get him some help.

Filed Under: People, Safety

Sunday update on the wrecked Trimaran

February 17, 2013 by rhonda Leave a Comment

Just a few photos to provide an update this morning on the state of the trimaran which is tied up by the Harbor West Condos. A small debris field is next to the boat and it appears very little debris is in the park.

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: harbor west condos, trimaran

No swimming or wading allowed at Cormorant Cove Park

February 17, 2013 by rhonda 1 Comment

Yesterday the Seattle Public Utilities posted a sign by Cormorant Cove Park off of Beach Drive warning the public to not swim nor wade in the Puget Sound waters.

This happens to be near where the trimaran and power boat wrecked by the Harbor West Condominiums. However it is our understanding that the officials were originally called out for a possible sewage leakage from the condominiums and not for the situation with the boats.

Stay tuned.

Filed Under: Beach Drive Homes, Puget Sound, Safety Tagged With: cormorant cove, harbor west condos, puget sound, sewage, swimming

Update on the troubled trimaran

February 16, 2013 by rhonda Leave a Comment

Scupper went back to check on the “Skipper” of the two sunken boats by Harbor West Condos off Beach Drive and took these photos along with an update (probably our last…for tonight at least) of this situation.

A West Seattle neighbor and his friends from Port Angeles decided to help the Skipper with clean up this evening and to try to salvage what ever can be of the Skippers belongings.

It’s our understanding that the Harbor West Condos hired a company to have the boats property tied off to protect the condo owners and the building. The mast is now safely down.

The Skipper is not certain when the salvage company will be out to remove the remains of the boats.

Filed Under: Boats, Uncategorized Tagged With: harbor west condos, trimaran

Sunken Trimaran Updates

February 16, 2013 by rhonda Leave a Comment

EDITORS NOTE: We will be updating this post throughout today. Scroll to the bottom for the most recent information. Our earlier coverage can be found here and begins here.

Scupper visited the sunken trimaran this morning.

Scupper reports that the trimaran and the power boat used to tow the trimaran from Shilshoe Marina, have both sunk.

A police man is on the scene and is talking to the “Skipper” about involving the Coast Guard. The Skipper insists that the CG is aware of the situation. West Seattle Blog reports that the Coast Gaurd has referred the Skipper to a towing company which would cost money the Skipper does not have.

We are currently at high tide: 11.24 ft at 8:40 am this morning. Low tide is 1.86 at 3:30 this afternoon.

Mother Nature is no longer cooperating. We have a small craft advisory in effect with south wind waves of 2 to 4 feet.

UPDATE 9:30 AM. Someone from the City of Seattle is on the scene to assess and manage the fuel spill from the sunken boats.

UPDATE 9:55 AM. Here is a photo of the “patch” that the Skipper says blew out from waves crashing through the exposed hatches on top of the pontoons.

UPDATE 10:17 AM: Here is West Seattle Herald’s coverage of the sunken boats by Harbor West Condos.

UPDATE: 11:20 AM: West Seattle Blog reports the a salvage vessel is getting ready to tow the boat. We wonder if they’re going to take the smaller boat that appears to be leaking fuel. It’s hard to imagine the trimaran being towed in it’s condition.

UPDATE 11:40 AM: Scupper is back on the scene and sending these photos back to BDB HQ of the sunken boats off Beach Drive. Scupper states he does not currently see any tow or salvage type boats on site to help remove the trimaran or power boat. According to Michelle, who has been kindly helping the Skipper, the salvage boats refused to take the boats as the ground team had already drained the fuel off the boat.

A crew is on site on remove the fuel from the power boat.

Scupper says the sound of the pontoon separating from the trimaran was incredible.

Here’s a view from the pilings under Harbor West Condominiums off Beach Drive.

UPDATE 1:39 PM – a few more photos compliments of “Scupper” of the sunken boats off Beach Drive.

Filed Under: Boats, Current Affairs Tagged With: harbor west condos, trimaran

Twas a perfect night for launching Chinese lanterns

February 15, 2013 by Scupper Leave a Comment

Spotted this couple lighting off lanterns in a light easterly wind at 10:30 tonight

Ready

Go

Scupper

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: emma schmitz view point, laterns

The Tri is “high and dry”

February 14, 2013 by rhonda 7 Comments

Last night we reported on the sail boat (technically a tri-moran) that was taking on water off the shores of Emma Schmitz View Point. At the time, the captain was certain everything was under control.

It appears the very same boat, sofa and all, sunk off in the Puget Sound waters by Harbor Crest Condos.

View from Harbor West Condos

West Seattle Blog reports the tri is waiting for high tide and the Coast Guard to remove it from this shore.

Even the smaller boat that was appearing to assist the tri last night is beached.

Updated 2/14/13 7:00PM

Scupper here, spoke to the skipper about what happened during last night’s tow from Emma Schmitz View Point as well as his future plans to “right the ship”. He explained that he made it to about Fauntleroy when his battery died on his run-about tug due to leaving the running lights on while beached. By the time he changed batteries out, the current pushed him back to the condo’s.

Skip is hoping to make some fiberglass repairs over the next couple of days (at low tide) and then move on towards his Tacoma birth.

Cracks in fiberglass needing repair. Also newer cracks in pontoons from last beaching.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the weather stays as calm as forecasted through Friday. Saturday is posed to be blowing 15 to 25 knots from the SW with waves building from 2 to 4 feet. It could be treacherous to both life and craft if he gets delayed & sets off on Saturday.

Update 2/15/13 8:00AM (High tide)

Appears that the skip has everything tied off and under control.

Tied off to the bulkhead

Starboard pontoon/barcalounger underwater

Update 2/15/13 3:00PM (Low tide)

Skipper making repairs with plywood/screws and duct tape in effort to float the boat on high tide tomorrow morning

Scupper

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

Another one bites the dust…

February 14, 2013 by Scupper Leave a Comment

The newest victim falling to a wrecking ball (back hoe) is 5037 Beach Drive SW. Per King County Assessor, this 2,680 sf home was built in 1954…

Before

After

I don’t see any loss of historic value here on this one but I’d love to see it’s “beachy” neighbors hang in there for at least another 100 years!

“Beachy neighbor”

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Beach Drive Homes Tagged With: tear downs

Sailboat taking on water near Mee-Kwa-Mooks Park

February 13, 2013 by Scupper 2 Comments

An older model tri-moran has nearly beached itself for repairs off off Beach Drive…

The captain mentioned that it is NOT an emergency and was hoping to score an extra bilge pump to rid the water. He later explained that the leak was from the area of the auxiliary motor well and will probably need to beach the boat on a sandy bar for patching the leak. He went on to say “good thing for the extra two pontoons!”.

At least the weather is calm (for now) and it’s not pouring on his furniture! Tip of the hat to our good neighbor Michelle for the heads up.

Scupper reporting for beach Drive Blog

UPDATE 2/14/2013: West Seattle Blog reports the boat sank by Harbor West Condos.

Filed Under: Boats, Puget Sound Tagged With: emma schmitz view point, trimaran