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Plenty of room for lots of boats to anchor in Filucy Bay. |
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Gently sailing along in Filucy Bay. |
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This is the larger of the two Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks. You could find yourself tied up to a fishing boat. |
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What is it?? The joy of cruising. Port of Friday Harbor docks. |
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A beautiful sunset from Prevost Harbor, San Juan Islands. |
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UPDATES FOR PUGET SOUND & SAN JUAN ISLANDS
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News Release: Dash Point State Park Closed September to May for Sewer System Upgrade
September 3, 2010.
NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Virginia Painter: (360) 902-8562
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission today announced that Dash Point State Park will close for approximately eight months, beginning Tuesday, September 7, so that new sewer system construction can be completed.
The park is scheduled to reopen in May of 2011 in time for the beginning of the next camping season.
During the past few years, the park has experienced temporary closures due to sewer system failures. The existing sewer consists of a combination of septic tanks, pump stations, force mains and septic drain fields that periodically fail, causing temporary closures. To resolve these issues, State Parks was appropriated $3.4 million in 2009-11 capitol budget to rebuild a modern system.
Dash Point State Park is a 398-acre park five miles northeast of Tacoma. The park has forest and beach areas, a campground with 137 campsites and approximately 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. During the camping season, the park offers visitor interpretive programs in the amphitheater, as well as ranger-led wildlife talks and walks.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission thanks the public for supporting state parks. Donations made to State Parks through the vehicle license tab renewal program will keep state parks open in the 2009-2011 budget cycle, provided adequate revenues are collected. The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 97-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Washington State Parks is now on Twitter at WaStatePks_NEWS and YouTube at WashingtonStateParks.
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Surprised (the Good Way) by Port of Kingston
August 24, 2010. Bob,
While we have always considered Kingston a way-point in transit to the San Juans, our stay this time has changed our impression. After our water pump sprung a leak we found ourselves stranded in Kingston until we could get help. We ended up spending an extra night. Meanwhile, much to our pleasure and surprise we discovered great advantages to the Port of Kingston.
First, we were delighted to find that the POK offers an electric car (a golf cart with a modest body) to guests. We were able to use it to run around and find parts and a mechanic. Second, we discovered Henry’s – it has to be one of the last remaining small town hardware stores in Washington state. We found everything we needed, including metric sized screws that even the big name stores don’t carry. Even better, one of the hands at the store (Scott) is a diesel mechanic and he offered to come to our boat after work to help us fix our problem. Finally, while waiting, we had the opportunity to taste some of the local fare and found it great, especially Luna Bella Ristorante. Hearty recommendations to Kingston.
Jon M. Duncan
University Place, Wash.
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Winter Dry Land Boat Storage at Seattle's Shilshole Bay Marina
August 23, 2010. Beginning September 1, boat owners are eligible to store their vessels in a fenced-in, secure area available through May 1 of next year. The low rate of $5.08/ft. per month including tax is offered, and boats on trailers up to 32 feet are welcome. An 18-foot minimum is required for month to month payment.
For availability call Shilshole Bay Marina at (206) 787-3006, or email at sbm@portseattle.org. Shilshole Bay Marina is a Port of Seattle property with approximately 1400 slips. It is also home to one of the largest live-aboard communities in the United States.
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Launch Ramp Closed at Lighthouse Marine County Park in Point Roberts
August 2, 2010. Due to storm damage, the launch ramp and dock are closed at this popular park in Point Roberts and will most likely be closed through the 2011 season. Check back here for updates.
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Flounder Bay Dredging to Start Aug. 2
July 28, 2010. The entrance to Skyline Marina will finally be dredged. Work starts Aug. 2nd and will run through the end of Sept. Equipment, large barges and tugs will be moving in and out of the main entrance channel the whole time. The concern for most boaters will be delays as they dredge in the entrance. The company says they will be watching traffic and will open the channel as often as possible consistent with getting the work done. There will be delays. All the facilities are expecting to remain open but transient moorage may not be available at the marina. Call the marina to check availability at (360)293-5134.
Work will generally be performed six days per week, between the hours of 7 AM and 10 PM and may be performed on Sundays on an as needed basis. For more information check the link at http://www.flounderbaydredging2010.com/.
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Restaurant at Point Roberts Marina Closed
July 17, 2010. The Dockside Café at Point Roberts Marina is closed for remodeling. Check back here for updates on when it will reopen.
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Wreck in Mackaye Harbor
UPDATE: June 22, 2010.
Dear Waggoner folks:
Your site has an update on the wreck in the Harbor (copied below).
I saw the remains of the wreck a few weeks ago and it is properly described as being at the east side of the entrance to Barlow Bay just south of Mackaye Harbor, approximate position 48.26.14 N, 122.52.25 W.
A very ugly and dangerous wreck, uppermost portion drying at about zero tide.
Beware!
Tom Fairhall
M/V Enetai
Previous Post
July 16, 2007. Waggoner correspondent Bruce Evertz sent this report and photo about Mackaye Harbor, at the south end of Lopez Island, in the San Juans.
Bob,
First, we are enjoying your weekly updates on your cruise this summer. Technology just keeps getting better.
Margaret and I have gotten out on Tapawingo three times so far this summer. One 3-night trip took us to Mackaye Harbor on Lopez Island (we were checking some places nearby we hadn't been to yet), and we anchored with a cruising sailboat in the east part of the main bay. Every other boat appeared to be local. Anyway, when we got up the next morning there was a minus 2.5' tide—and something new just south of us. We didn't see it on arrival at high tide but there it was, just about where the 2 /5 symbol is in Barlow Bay on Chart 18423. In the attached picture the bow of about a 50' sunken boat faces to the left. It was about halfway between two mooring buoys. It could be a nasty surprise for someone anchoring at high tide.
Bruce
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Ostrich Bay Noise Alert
June 21, 2010. Dear Waggoner Crew:
"You can contact us.... Don't hold back. We want to hear from you" OK, you asked for it:
Based on your attractive description of Ostrich Bay, "... facing dense forest. We have spent several pleasant nights ... area is overlooked", we headed there and dropped anchor. Pleasant spot indeed. Until memories of Minnesota summers spent squatting mosquitos came to mind. Yep. Jetski's... the nemesis of any sailor who has discovered a new serene spot to relax in after a day's invigorating sail.
That long stretch of otherwise quiet water from nearly Silverdale to lower Ostrich Bay was apparently too much temptation for the water toys and muscle boats. While we did not, they all apparently sought delight in mindlessly swarming about the bay or making open exhaust runs back and forth all afternoon until dusk. Even then, we were awakened about one or two AM to the raucous blast of a full-throttled idiot traveling wide-open in the pitch dark.
We've used your wonderful Waggoner Guide from its earliest publication and find it to be our most valuable onboard text besides a tide book. This is the first time we've ever disagreed with one of your recommendations... enough so that it seemed worth while to bring it to your attention. Ostrich Bay? Four thumbs down!
Cheers otherwise!
Giff Jones (and wife/Commodore Mary)
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New Laundry Facility Open at Port of Friday Harbor
June 16, 2010. New laundry with state of the art commercial machines now open at Friday Harbor Marina. The laundry is next door to the customs office. (Thanks to reader Norb Hattendorf for the report.)
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News Release: WDFW Conducting Boat Checks To Stop Aquatic Invasive Species
June 16, 2010.
NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Sgt. Eric Anderson (360) 902-2426 or Allen Pleus (360) 902-2724
WDFW conducting boat checks to stop aquatic invasive species
OLYMPIA - People hauling boats to and from Washington waterways this summer may be stopped by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officers conducting mandatory checks of boats, trailers and gear for aquatic invasive species.
The annual check stations and emphasis-patrol program has begun in several parts of the state and will continue through the boating season. The aim is to keep tiny zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other non-native species out of Washington to protect native fish, wildlife and water systems.
Aquatic invasive species spread by attaching themselves to boats and other water-based equipment. Once established, the non-native mussels and other aquatic invasive species multiply quickly and threaten native fish and wildlife by consuming available food and smothering other species. Besides endangering native aquatic species, they can clog water-intake systems at power plants, irrigation districts, public water suppliers and other facilities.
“These invasive mussels have already spread to other waterways in several western states,” said Allen Pleus, WDFW aquatic invasive species coordinator. “That’s a big concern, because if they get into our waters, they will likely spread rapidly and cause a great deal of damage.
“If these species become established in the Columbia River system it could result in billions of dollars of economic damage to everything from hydro-electric dams to municipal water systems, and put further strain on federally protected species that live there,” Pleus said.
Quagga mussels are present in waters in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California. Zebra mussels are present in Utah and California. Since 2006, WDFW has found these invasive species on more than 20 boats stopped as they were entering Washington.
Importation of aquatic invasive species is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and up to a year in jail. Knowingly bringing such species into Washington is a felony and can result in even greater fines and jail time.
To avoid introducing aquatic invasive species, recreational boaters and anglers should always carefully inspect and clean their boats, trailers and equipment before moving their vessels from one body of water to another, Pleus said.
Boaters should clean off any mud, vegetation and debris, drain any water from where they last boated, and then thoroughly wash and dry their boat and trailer when they get home, according to Pleus.
Besides cleaning boats and trailers, boaters should also be aware that diseases and juvenile stages of some species can be inadvertently transported in bait buckets, live-fish well water and ballast tanks, said Pleus.
Last year, WDFW enforcement officers seized a 24-foot boat in Spokane contaminated with quagga mussels from Lake Mead, Nev. A multi-state tracking effort and tips from alert citizens led to the seizure, said Sgt. Eric Anderson, WDFW aquatic invasive species enforcement coordinator.
After last summer’s close call, Anderson said inspections of boats of all sizes increased.
“This year we will again conduct random road stops of people hauling any size boat,” said Anderson.
Law enforcement officers have the authority to stop and inspect vessels under RCW 77.12.879. Since Washington passed a law in 2002 prohibiting importation of aquatic invasive species, WDFW has worked to educate boaters, provided free vessel inspections and issued warnings. In cooperation with the Washington State Patrol (WSP), WDFW also has focused on inspecting commercially hauled watercraft at the state’s port-of-entry highway weigh stations.
“Our preference is to work with boaters so they understand the importance of keeping these species out of our state, said Anderson. “However, we do have the authority to seize boats for decontamination or forfeiture.”
“It’s up to boat owners and operators to be responsible for their vessels if Washington is going to be successful at keeping aquatic invasive species from spreading to state waters,” said Pleus.
Zebra and quagga mussels are native to the Caspian Sea. They entered the Great Lakes in the mid-1980s in ship ballast water, and have since spread to more than 20 states and two Canadian provinces. Both zebra and quagga mussels are easily transported on boats and trailers because they can live out of water for up to a month.
For more information on all aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their spread, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/ans/index.htm.
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Percival Landing in Olympia to close Aug. 1
June 7, 2010. Percival Landing will undergo the first phase in reconstruction starting in July 2010 and docks will be closed from August 1, 2010 through February 2011. The docks are available to tie-up to until then (no power available) but upland facilities might be affected by the construction. Check back here for updates or check out the City of Olympia’s web site at http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/percival-landing.aspx.
Harbor Days, with its tugboat races, Sept. 3-5, 2010 will be moved to the Port of Olympia’s Plaza Dock.
UPDATE
June 14, 2010. Here is more information directly from Percival Landing.
About Percival Landing Reconstruction Phase I, in Olympia, WA:
Boating facilities will not be available from August 1, 2010 through February 2011, while construction is in progress.
Phase I reconstruction will provide improved shoreside services include showers, bathrooms and a rentable, indoor waterfront gathering space at the new Harbor House on Percival Landing.
Electrical service for moorage customers is not included in the Phase 1 Project, but will be provided in a future phase.
We encourage you to check the website at the bottom of this notice for frequent updates and construction progress.
We look forward to hosting you in Olympia when our dust settles!
For more information, please contact Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation at 360/753-8380. http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/percival-landing.aspx.
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Steer Clear of Orca Whales
June 7, 2010.
NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Rocky Beach, (360) 902-2510
WDFW cautions boat owners to steer clear of orca whales
OLYMPIA - With summer approaching, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is reminding recreational boaters to give orca whales and other marine mammals a wide berth.
State law requires boaters to stay at least 100 yards away from southern resident orca whales. Boaters who unexpectedly come into closer proximity to an orca are required to stop immediately and allow the whales to pass.
These and other state regulations apply to a variety of small watercraft, including tour boats, private powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes and personal floatation devices.
Federal law also includes broad restrictions against disturbing or harassing any marine mammal, said Mike Cenci, WDFW’s deputy chief of enforcement.
“Boaters have a responsibility to keep their distance from these amazing animals,” Cenci said. “Human disturbances, including boat traffic, can interfere with their ability to feed, communicate with one another and care for their young.”
Cenci noted that WDFW has issued 10 citations and dozens of warnings to recreational boaters since 2008, when the Legislature approved the state law regulating boating activity around orca whales.
Violating the state law can result in a fine of up to $1,025. The maximum fine under federal law is $10,000.
The southern resident orca population, which currently includes about 90 whales, is classified as “endangered” by both the State of Washington and the federal government.
Those animals, which mostly travel the waters of northern Puget Sound, account for the majority of orca whales found in Washington from early spring to late fall, said Rocky Beach, WDFW wildlife diversity division manager. Major threats to their survival include the declining abundance of salmon, exposure to pollutants and disruptions from passing vessels.
Under state law, it is unlawful to:
Approach within 100 yards of a southern resident whale.
Cause a vessel or other object to approach within 100 yards of a southern resident whale.
Intercept a southern resident whale by remaining in its path until it comes within 100 yards of a vessel.
Fail to disengage the transmission of a vessel that is within 100 yards of a southern resident whale.
Feed a southern resident whale.
Additional information about the state law is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/orca/index.htm. Whale-watching guidelines are available at http://www.bewhalewise.org.
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Rosario Resort & Marina Open
June 7, 2010. Rosario General Manager Christopher Peacock tells us the Resort is “open.” The restaurant is back in service, 22 guest rooms are available, the spa has been remodeled, and of course, there is guest moorage for boats. From mid-June through mid-September Christopher will be giving his famous Rosario Mansion organ concerts at 4:00 p.m. daily except Sunday.
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Bremerton Marina Currents
June 1, 2010. Bob,
We have purchased your books for the past three years and have found them to be our "boating bible.”
Our home port is Bremerton, Washington at the new Bremerton Marina. It might be beneficial to your readers if you advise that docking at this marina can be extremely tricky due to the currents, especially at the Turner Joy entrance.
Possibly arriving a slack tide could eliminate "white knuckle docking."
Carol Perlmutter
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Summertime Moorage at Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal
April 5, 2010.
SEATTLE - Summer brings great weather and a great place to moor your boat. In 2008, a two-year, $22 million remodel was completed, bringing a whole new look for Port of Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal. The newly dredged inner harbor now sports brand new floating docks with individual finger piers at each moorage slip, plus new utilities on the docks, with plenty of space to maneuver your vessel making it easier for recreational boaters.
Reserve your space at Fishermen's Terminal and you get access to:
Recreational moorage available June 1 -Sept 15
Free parking, restrooms, self serve sewage & bilge water pumpouts
Showers and new shore power available
Sorry, no live aboards
Moorage available for boats up to 150'
Fishermen's Terminal, historic home of the North Pacific fishing fleet, is located on the Ship Canal at the southwest corner of the Ballard Bridge - adjacent to shops, restaurants, and all the services boat owners need to keep their vessels in good working order.
Summer recreational moorage is available from June to September, and slips are filling fast. Long-term moorage may be available for recreation vessels as well. For more information, including rates and availability, boaters can call (206) 787-3395 Mon-Sat 7am-5pm or VHF 17. In addition, daily, monthly, and year-round moorage is available for commercial vessels up to 250 feet.
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NOW AVAILABLE: Port of Everett Public Access Guide to the Everett Waterfront
March 18, 2010. Everett, Wash. – In partnership with the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau, the Port of Everett recently completed a public access guide featuring more than five miles of waterfront walkways and recreational amenities available to the Everett community and visitors.
The new brochure highlights the Port’s marina facilities, family-friendly beaches and activities, bird watching locations, and walking/biking trails, including the Port’s newest trail, Port Gardner Waterfront Loop. A map of these amenities is provided in the brochure.
A copy of the public access brochure is available at the Port’s Administration Building and South Marina office, as well as the tourism bureau’s four county visitor information centers, including the downtown Everett visitor center on Hewitt Avenue in the Comcast Arena. A printable version is available on the Port’s Web site at www.portofeverett.com.
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New Fee Structure for Everett’s 10th Street Boat Launch
March 8, 2010.
PORT OF EVERETT MODIFIES NEW FEES AT 10TH STREET BOAT LAUNCH AND MARINE PARK
Everett, Wash. - After a discussion at the Port Commission Retreat on February 10, the Port of Everett staff modified the new parking fee structure for the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park, which will go into effect May 1, 2010.
Starting May 1, 2010, the Port will expand the boat launch fee from $5 to $8 year-round, and implement a weekend-only (Friday to Sunday) $3 seasonal parking fee for park and Jetty Island visitors. This is the first boat launch fee increase since 1997.
“We modified the fee structure to provide unrestricted access to our community members during the week, yet still be able to manage the parking demands on the facility during the summer months,” said Carl Wollebek, Chief of Operations for the Port of Everett. “This new fee structure better balances our commitment to public access to the waterfront and ensuring our facilities cover their respective costs.”
As the boat launch and park usage continues to grow, so do its physical pressures and maintenance costs. Last year, the 10th Street Boat Launch and Park facility served approximately 27,000 launches, and accommodated more than 47,000 visitors to the Port-owned Jetty Island. These numbers don’t include the individuals who visiting only the park facility itself.
The 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park facility operated at a $100,000 deficit in 2009. Additionally, the Port recently completed a $600,000 capital project at the boat launch, dredging nearly 25,000 cubic yards of sediment from the facility to enhance its functionality.
Summary of New Parking Fee Program
$8 boat launch fee year round including parking
$3 parking fee on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (covers midnight to midnight) from May 1 to Sept. 30 of each year
$150 annual boat launch pass for 2010 available. The pass includes parking. Senior and Disabled Boat Launch pass available at the South Marina office and are valid Monday through Friday. From May 1 to Sept. 30 of each year, seniors pass holders will be required to pay the $3 seasonal parking fee for launches on Friday.
Free launch and parking for disabled veterans. Passes are available at the South Marina office.
For additional information, please contact the Port’s Communications Administrator Lisa Lefeber at 425.388.0617 or by e-mail at lisam@portofeverett.com.
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Sunken Fish Boat in Friday Harbor
February 11, 2010. Local Notices to Mariners reports Dangerous Wreck at 48°32'10"N / 123°00'31"W. Plotted on large scale Chart 18434, the wreck is right in the middle of the channel between Brown Island and Friday Harbor, approximately 100 yards or so south of the Washington State Ferry dock. The wreck is an old fish boat that had been anchored for quite some time and a few years ago it sank. This past summer several pleasure boats fouled their anchors on the wreck. Tami Hayes, the marina manager at the Port of Friday Harbor, contacted the Coast Guard, who established the exact location and published the warning in Notices to Mariners. Don’t anchor there.
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New Buoys at Port Gamble
February 11, 2010. Local Notices to Mariners reports that lighted buoys 2 and 4 have been installed on the west side of the entry channel to Port Gamble. Buoy 2 is Fl R 2.5s; Buoy 4 is Fl R 4s.
Light 1, a short distance north of the entry channel, has been removed. The range boards for the entry channel no longer are lighted.
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Racon Added to Rosario Strait Buoy
February 9, 2010. Traffic Lane Entrance Buoy R at the south entrance to Rosario Strait now transmits Racon Morse T (-)
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Puget Sound Marina Promotion
January 26, 2010. For Immediate Release – January 25, 2010
PASSPORT TO PUGET SOUND:
GUEST MOORAGE PROMOTION OFFERED AT LOCAL MARINAS
In 2010, fifteen Puget Sound Marinas will partner with Northwest Marine Trade Association to offer a new program that will reward visiting boaters. The promotion, Passport to Puget Sound, will kick off at the 2010 Seattle Boat Show on January 29th.
Puget Sound provides quick, easy access to a boater’s paradise. With fishing, diverse moorage options and events year round, the Sound has a lot to offer boaters that want to take advantage of the area’s unique features.
Participating marinas include:
Arabella’s Landing
Bremerton Marina
Bell Harbor Marina
Cap Sante Boat Haven
City of Des Moines Marina
Dock Street Marina
Elliott Bay Marina
Foss Harbor Marina
Port of Edmonds
Port of Everett
Port of Kingston
Port Orchard Marina
Poulsbo Marina
Shilshole Marina
Swantown Marina
Boaters who visit any of the participating marinas between March 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and pay for a minimum of one night of guest moorage will receive a stamp in a Passport to Puget Sound book. Once a row of four marinas is completed, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, visitors will receive a “Passport to Puget Sound” T-shirt.
The first fifteen participants to achieve a ‘black out’, where all squares are filled with stamps from all participating marinas, will receive one of fifteen available grand prize packages valued up to $500. Prize packages include a variety of hotel accommodations, restaurant gift certificates, event tickets, boat services and more.
Pick up your Passport to Puget Sound book at any of the participating marinas or at the Seattle Boat Show to start your summer adventures early!
For more information on the program, visit the NMTA’s website at www.seattleboatshow.com or contact one of the participating marinas.
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New South Puget Sound Weather Stations
January 20, 2010. The Pierce County Surface Water Management Department has installed weather stations at Longbranch (Filucy Bay), and Oro Bay on Anderson Island. Here are the URLs to each:
https://www.hobolink.com/p/fd70ca9cc7c2b0be740286eda9d81ae7 Longbranch /Filucy Bay
https://www.hobolink.com/p/bcdb15aa9a700d714831e82e9d9f0bbb TYC @ Oro Bay
Our thanks to Jon Thompson for this information.
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New Parking Program: 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park
January 12, 2010. For Immediate Release – Everett, Wash. - Starting in May 2010, the Port of Everett will be implementing a seasonal daytime parking fee for 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park visitors.
The $3 fee, which runs from May 1 to Sept. 30 of each year, is being expanded to daytime facility users in an effort to help fund the ongoing maintenance and operation of the 10th Street Boat Launch & Marine Park facility. The facility is maintained by the Port of Everett, but jointly owned by the Port, City of Everett and Snohomish County.
“This is not a decision we came to lightly,” said Carl Wollebek, chief of operations for the Port of Everett. “New parking fees are not popular by any means, but it is greatly needed to maintain this state-of-the-art community asset. The new parking program will allow us to maintain and upgrade the facility to best serve our community.”
Currently, the Port invests approximately $216,000 per year in boat launch and park maintenance, of which, about $115,000 is recouped via launch and parking fees.
Furthermore, the Port invested approximately $600,000 in capital improvements to the boat launch, Marine Park and Jetty Island facility over the last several years. In early 2010, the Port expects to invest an additional $600,000 to dredge the boat launch to enhance its functionality.
To assist with the change, the Port has installed new parking machines that will take credit cards. This modest fee will help offset some of the maintenance costs to providing this public amenity.
Parking Pass Available: Starting in April, a parking pass will be available at the Port’s Marina office for $75. This seasonal pass allows unlimited parking at the boat launch and park facility from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Boat Launch: The $5 launch fee will remain in effect; however the $3 seasonal parking fee will apply to all boat launch vehicles and senior pass holders. The Port will still offer an annual boat launch pass for $150, however, it will not include parking. Those wishing to purchase both a boat launch pass and parking pass may do so for $225.
Jetty Island & 10th Street Park: Visitors will pay $3 per day to park from May 1 to Sept. 30 of each year.
Boat launch and parking passes are available at the Marina office at 1720 West Marine View Drive, Everett. More information can be found at the Port’s Web site www.portofeverett.com.
For additional information, please contact Lisa Lefeber, the Port’s Communication Administrator at 425.388.0617 or via e-mail at lisam@portofeverett.com.
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No Dearth of Books Open Sundays, Too
November 30, 2009. It didn’t get in the text or in the ad, but favorite bookseller Harry Dearth’s delightful used books bookstore in Gig Harbor is also open Sundays, noon to 2:30. Bring cash. No Dearth of Books is probably the only store in town that isn’t set up for credit cards. Now in his mid-eighties, Harry Dearth keeps to the old ways.
In October we stopped by to see Harry, following the Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW) meeting at Gig Harbor Yacht Club. We walked out with an interesting biography of George Washington. Our visit before that resulted in a biography of Alexander Hamilton. And before that, David McCullough’s magnificent John Adams.
-- Bob Hale
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Grounding Hazard in Echo Bay, Sucia Island
August 18, 2009. A reader has reported that he grounded his Cal 39 sailboat, which draws 6 feet 8 inches, on a rock in Echo Bay. The grounding occurred in the area marked 1 fathom 5 feet extending from the small islet northwest of South Finger Islet, as shown on large scale Chart 18431. He sounded the area carefully after the grounding, and found the depths to be somewhat less than charted. The keel of his boat confirmed the soundings. On low tides especially, give the tip of this islet a good offing.
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Moorage is Easy at Fishermen’s Terminal
May 14, 2008. $22 million remodel completes on June 1st
SEATTLE – Summer brings a whole new look for Port of Seattle’s Fishermen’s Terminal, as the two-year, $22 million remodel comes to a close – on time and under budget. The a newly dredged inner harbor now has brand new docks, finger piers at each moorage slip, plus upgraded utilities on the docks.
Fishermen’s Terminal, historic home of the North Pacific fishing fleet, is located on the Lake Washington Ship Canal at the southwest corner of Ballard Bridge – adjacent to shops, restaurants, and all the services boat owners need to keep their vessels in good working order. With the completion of the remodel, the Terminal’s inner harbor offers a variety of slip sizes for vessels up to 70’ feet in length, individual finger piers at each slip for easy loading and boarding, new lighting and upgraded shore power. The West Wall loading/work dock has been dredged to a minimum of 15’ to accommodate large commercial vessels.
Daily, monthly, and year-round moorage is available for commercial vessels up to 250 feet. Summer recreational moorage is available from June to September. Long-term recreational moorage may be available for recreational vessels as well. For more information, including rates and availability, boaters can call (206) 728-3395 or VHF 17.
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Bike Storage Now at Shilshole Bay Marina
March 24, 2008. The Port of Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina now offers bike lockers, racks and storage for boaters who prefer to travel on two wheels when they’re on land.
With the help of a customer advisory panel – as well as the input of many boaters – Shilshole now offers 30 bike lockers available for monthly rental and dozens of racks available for day use. An outdoor bike corral is also available for free bike storage for up to 30 additional bikes.
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75-ton Travelift Now at Port of Everett
January 8, 2008. Hello everyone,
Thought this might be a good photo for you.
The Port's 75-ton Travelift arrived on Dec. 18,2007, and maintenance staff performed its first "big lift" out of the Port's new 12th Street Yacht Basin on Dec. 20. The boat being hauled out in the pictures is our former Commissioner Don Hopkins pleasure boat. This new Travelift is located in the Port's new Craftsmen District, which is expected to be operational in a couple months. This is a new, state-of-the-art facility that is in compliance with the Department of Ecology's newly-adopted boatyard standards. This facility is part of the Port Gardner Wharf development.
Lisa Lefeber (Mandt)
Communications Administrator
Port of Everett
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New Mooring Buoys for Echo Bay, Sucia Island
December 28, 2007. Correspondent Gary Wyngarden, who lives on Orcas Island, sent this news about the proposal to add mooring buoys at Echo Bay, and restrict anchoring in certain areas to see if eelgrass will grow. He says the Orcas Island newspaper reports that Washington State Parks is moving ahead with this, with only one additional approval necessary.
Description of proposal: Washington State Parks is proposing to install 30 additional mooring buoys in Echo Bay at Sucia Island State Park. These buoys will be for recreational boaters to tie off on while using the park. State Parks also proposes to install up to 14 "marker" buoys landward of the existing mooring buoys to delineate a "No Anchor Zone" in an effort to protect eelgrass beds in Echo Bay. All buoys will be anchored with a helical screw anchor and swivel system.
The project occupies approximately 24 acres of tidal near shore waters. A major objective of this project is to reduce anchoring and its impacts on the marine environment, especially vegetated shallows. State Parks is working with the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs to develop a monitoring strategy to record the effects of discouraging anchoring in parts of Echo Bay. If shown that removing anchoring from within and adjacent to eelgrass beds is successful, State Parks will evaluate the potential positive impacts of further restrictions on anchoring in other areas of Sucia Island State Park.
There are currently 48 mooring buoys at 6 different locations on Sucia Island: Shallow Bay, 8 buoys; Fox Cove, 4 buoys; Fossil Bay, 16 buoys; Snoring Bay, 2 buoys; Echo Bay, 14 buoys; Ewing Cove, 4 buoys. Use is extremely heavy at Sucia Island, especially during the boating season from late spring through early fall. Park managers have counted up to 150 boats occupying Echo Bay on a busy day.
Boaters utilize Echo Bay in a variety of ways including: day anchoring, overnight anchoring, overnight single boat moorage on buoys, and multi-boat "rafting" at mooring buoys. While it is not possible to calculate the change in use due to installation of the mooring buoys, it can be assumed that less anchoring will take place.
Proponent: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Location of proposal: Sucia Island State Park is located in San Juan County, approximately 2 ¼ miles north of Orcas Island. The project is located in Echo Bay at Sucia Island at T38N R02W Section 23. It is only accessible by boat.
Lead agency: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency.
This information is available to the public on request.
This DNS is issued under 197 11 340(2); the lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from June 14, 2007. Comments must be submitted by July 2, 2007 or they may not be considered.
Responsible Official:
Chris Regan
Environmental Program Manager
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Phone (360) 902 - 8632
FAX (360) 902 - 8840
E-mail chris.regan@parks.wa.gov
Address:
7150 Cleanwater Drive
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
"All Washington State Parks are developed and maintained for the enjoyment of all persons regardless of age, sex, creed, ethnic origin, or physical limitations."
There is no agency SEPA appeal; however all comments are welcome and will be thoroughly considered.
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Cabbage Island Rave and New Eastsound Restaurant
August 8, 2006.
Greetings!
We have used the Waggoner Guide as our cruising "bible" since we took our first trip to the islands in 1999. We typically spend between 3 and 7 weeks in the islands during the summer. We use the information found in the guide daily.
Just returned from four weeks cruising the San Juans and Gulf Islands. A couple of highlights I wanted to share with you. Visited Cabbage Island, east of the southeast tip of Saturna Island -- wow! What an absolutely beautiful place -- it now outranks Sucia Island as my favorite anchor-out spot.
Discovered the Thai Sisters Cafe, an amazing Thai restaurant in Eastsound, Orcas Island. It is located in the basement of the Odd Fellows Hall just up the road from the dinghy dock, on the way to town. The Cafe is owned by two Thai sisters, who prepare the food in an open kitchen. They prepared spring rolls from scratch while we watched. The meal was hands down the best Thai food our family has ever eaten. The Pad Thai is to die for! This summer they are open Thursdays and Fridays only. The phone number is (360)376-6337 or (360)376-3605. It is a fun, funky, memorable island kind of place.
Thanks again for producing a terrific guide that has it all.
Jane Cook
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Caution in Ostrich Bay
January 11, 2005. Local Notice to Mariners advises that unexploded ordnance still lies in Ostrich Bay, particularly in the vicinity of the old ordnance loading pier. We spoke with the contact person listed in the notice, who told us the ordnance loading site has not been operative for many years, but that old ordnance has been found. No anchoring restrictions have been established, although they're talking it over with the Coast Guard.
Ostrich Bay lies in Dyes Inlet, the body of water behind Bremerton. We have anchored successfully there several times, off the forested city park. It's a delightful spot.
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Floods Bring Dangerous Drift to Skagit Bay, LaConner, Deception Pass
November 2, 2003. This report dramatically presents the effects of heavy rains and flooding rivers on the amount of drift floating around in the saltwater. It's a reminder that any time we have a period of heavy rainfall, we should be extra careful.
Conditions in the north Whidbey-LaConner-Deception Pass area are really hazardous to boating since the flooding on the Skagit River. I was up there last Saturday (10/24) and was astonished at the amount of drift in the water.
Launching at Cornet Bay involved 20 minutes with a boathook just to open enough space on the launch ramp for a 14 -foot boat.
Other areas in the bay had drift stacked 50 feet or more out from shore. In Deception Pass, there was a steady flow of various-sized junk headed through with the tide. It extended out to West Point and Deception Island, as well as lots of smaller stuff caught up in the eddies in and around the pass itself. Normally, I use Canoe Pass, but under these conditions, I wouldn't consider it.
As the tide turned there was a nearly continuous driftline south from Yokeko Point almost to Whidbey Island -- the line was 20 to 50 feet wide, and was made up of everything from twigs to entire trees. I would emphatically NOT recommend being in this area in the dark or in fog, nor would I want to be going through either pass against the tide -- I wouldn't be able to dodge what was coming at me quickly enough. Swinomish Channel also was a mess, with all sorts of junk jammed into the docks along the waterfront.
This situation undoubtedly will improve, as more and more of the debris ends up on the beaches. But I'm going to pay close attention to the tides for the forseeable future -- a lot of this stuff will be coming off the beaches and moving around every time we have the higher, spring tides.
--David Helland
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Flare Disposal Program Now Available at Port of Seattle and Port of Edmonds Marine Facilities
March 25, 2003. Commercial fishermen and recreational boaters can now safely dispose of expired distress flares at four Port of Seattle facilities: Fishermen's Terminal, Maritime Industrial Center, Shilshole Bay Marina and Bell Harbor Marina. Flares also can be turned in at the Port of Edmonds.
Federal law prohibits igniting flares in non-emergency situations on regulated waters. Violators may be held responsible for the cost of emergency response.
The flair disposal program was initiated by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1999, in response to 423 false distress calls in the states of Washington and Oregon. Those false calls a cost taxpayers $2.6 million in resource hours. After September 11, 2001, however, the Coast Guard stopped accepting expired flares at Coast Guard stations for security concerns.
With financial assistance from Orion Marine Products and in conjunction with the King County Police Bomb Squad, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has assumed responsibility for continuing the flare disposal program.
To dispose of expired flares (limit 12 per visit), simply deliver them to one of the Port's participating terminal or marina offices or the Port of Edmonds, during regular business hours.
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For more updates:
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• U.S. Customs Updates
• Canada Customs Updates
• General Updates
• Puget Sound & San Juan Islands
• Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia, including B.C.'s Gulf Islands
• Desolation Sound to top of Vancouver Island
• Central & Northern B.C. Coast
• West Coast of Vancouver Island
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