West Seattle scenes: Kayak procession for World Environment Day

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

One last set of scenes from Friday night before we move on to Saturday – lanterns and lights in a variety of forms, on the shore and the bay.

This was from the “illuminated flotilla” procession marking World Environment Day, following a concert presented by the Vashon-based Backbone Campaign on the protest barge “Solar Pioneer” off Don Armeni. We counted about 30 kayaks as well as the sailboat above.

Seattle Police Harbor Patrol was in evidence throughout (and we saw the Coast Guard’s smaller vessels in the early going)

On shore, lights included giant tulips as well as these salmon:

The kayaks eventually paddled past Seacrest, toward Jack Block, then turned around.

For those who’ve been asking about the concerts and events on the barge, which apparently have been audible all the way up the hill into Admiral, the ShellNo website lists a “jazz band” for tonight, no further details.

Norma June 6, 2015 (8:44 am)

Last night was awful for residents above. This area is like an amphitheater. The sound seems to echo around the Fairmount gully. We can even hear it inside with earplugs. The drumming and chanting were meaningful to me but the heavy beat of rap and rock music was just jarring and annoying. I think the volume was turned up way to high. Maybe a lot less tonight?? Please?? I like jazz but it would be nice to have a choice when I hear it. You do no good for your cause if you annoy all of the neighbors!!

Bill June 6, 2015 (9:28 am)

This was from over 20 years ago — enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W33HRc1A6c

Congratulations Seattle and especially West Seattle — you have been thoroughly cali-FORNICATED

gina June 6, 2015 (9:36 am)

I’m glad to find out where the phantom concert noises are coming from. I miss the call of the sea lions at night.

Marnie June 6, 2015 (10:47 am)

These comments illustrate the Nimby principle perfectly. No matter what is happening, it is in someone’s back yard. This magnificent event could have done without some of the more loud music, but in general the attitude and delivery was motivated by beauty. And what we cherish that could be lost to arctic drilling and global warming. I loved being part of an effort to “do something about it”. Climate change affects all backyards!

Connie June 6, 2015 (11:57 am)

The residents along Harbor Ave have had enough of the “music”. There is no regard for the noise pollution taking place every night. Even with the supposedly turned down amplification depending on which direction the speakers are turned it can sound like it is in your living room. There is a city noise ordinance which needs to be enforced. Since when is it ok moor a vessel off shore and blast the shoreline with music every night? We have to listen to our tv through headphones sitting in our living room with the doors and windows closed on these beautiful nights.

This seems like just another less than well thought out protest from this group. First they drop anchor in the dive park and octopus dens and now they have managed to alienate most of the residents along the shore. Last night there were less than 100 people in the park actually paying any attention to the noise from the barge. The 35 kayaks peacefully moving towards the oil rig in protest was much more in keeping with protecting the environment and making a significant statement.

There is no city permit issued to have another band tonight. Not that that has stopped them in the past nor have they complied with the terms of the permit they did get.

Norm June 6, 2015 (12:03 pm)

Marnie – I’m probably older than you. I’ve been an environmentalist most of my life. Just ask my kids. I raised them that way. I do care about artic drilling and global warming. I have grandchildren!! This hasn’t been just one night. We’ve been patient up til now. But believe me if you lived in this area and you can’t get any relief from the constant noise from a base beat and helicopters flying over your house you would be upset too. You accuse us of being Nimby’s but do you know us Do you live in our neighborhood? Do you know what it’s like?

JanS June 6, 2015 (12:10 pm)

on many occasions, I hear music from the event place down the street from me, where weddings throughout the season happen. And people who have been drinking walking to their cars late in the evening, who take up all the parking on our street. When the place next to the now closed Heartland was there with live bands every weekend, we heard music until sometimes 2am. These are places of business and allowed to do this. I live in an urban area. And I suppose it’s expected. And what about the people who live near the Alaska Junction near the WS street festival every summer? Right now I am hearing multiple lawn mowers, and people working on yards, etc., and I find that annoying. So what? I still have my windows open…it’s the sounds of life. If the noise that you have in your neighborhood goes on after a certain time, report it. If they violate the noise ordinance multiple times, I’m sure something will be done. I’m sorry your peace has been disturbed.

Alison June 6, 2015 (12:19 pm)

I’m so sorry to read that this was disturbing to nearby residents. For me, it was wonderful hearing/seeing the performers from close up in a kayak. But I think organizers should remember that sound carries over water dramatically. And that from a distance hip hop often just sounds like a jarring driving bass beat.

Neighbor June 6, 2015 (12:50 pm)

Not only am I a protestor of the Death Star but I live on the hill and I can tell you the noise is too much. The loud speaker is too loud, you really can’t think straight even with all your windows closed and the stereo on.
Jan, I’m with you on living in the city noise etc. but this is unbelievable. Come on over to the Admiral lookout and hear it for yourself, it’s like the concert is 50 ft away. It just echoes of the water and up the hill….who knew?!

That being said…I still am very proud and thankful to those citizens for taking the time and energy to stop the worst of global warming from coming to fruition. Generations will be grateful.

Toni June 6, 2015 (12:54 pm)

In the name of a good cause, this group has taken advantage of all residents and thumbed their noses at the city permitting process. They only had a permit for Friday night and their website lists June 6,7,8 & 12 for upcoming shows. One small group shouldn’t be able to disrupt the lives of so many and break city ordinances while doing so.

Ray June 6, 2015 (1:21 pm)

Toni,

Exactly. The irony of this group protesting Shell’s lack of permits and whatnot while they flagrantly and willfully violate local laws and ordinances with their lack of obtaining permits and consideration for noise levels and the residents of West Seattle. Not to mention their shortsightedness at the start by parking their boat and damaging local marine habitats. Plus their “music” is loud and likely impacting local marine life.

The worst kind of hypocrites. They do not care who they impact all in the name of their cause. No better than whatever they are protesting.

Marnie June 6, 2015 (1:44 pm)

I am so sorry. I do not live here and if this was happening in my neighborhood, I’d be livid! I’ll be sure they hear this. Till now, I was unaware of the nightly ruckus. Btw, I am 67 and a grandmother. A long term activist and spiritual seeker. The Nimby argument was used against us on Vashon too. I know too well that we all share a backyard.

Jason June 6, 2015 (2:23 pm)

While I appreciate the sentiment that it may be very noisy up on the hill facing the barge, I think it’s important to remember that this sort of event is essentially a protest, not a typical party, and isn’t necessarily meant to be pleasant. People are angry about Shell, along with Foss Maritime and the Port for harboring them. People are frustrated with the community for not rising up in greater numbers against notoriously abusive companies like Shell. Apathy in the face of environmental justice is, in my eyes, pretty unacceptable. More people should be angry, but organizers are trying to draw people in the upbeat way with music. That a protest was disturbing to people who were not protesting is pretty par for the course. I agree with Norma that the chanting/drumming/flute was an excellent in-between. Also, I would hope that everyone who took the time to write their grievances here will also write to Foss, the port, or their representatives and let them know that this situation is bothersome. Put your discontent to good use.
Finally, to Ray’s comment: I agree that the impact on marine life should be a real concern. However this – “No better than whatever they are protesting.” – is simply untrue. Please do some research on the effects Shell has had, particularly in the Niger Delta, and you will see that having concerts on a barge comes nowhere close.

Jason June 6, 2015 (2:26 pm)

FOSS MARITIME CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
1151 Fairview Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98109
206.281.3800 or 800.426.2885

Port of Seattle Online Contact Form
https://www.portseattle.org/About/Contact/Pages/default.aspx

Port of Seattle Headquarters

Street Address
2711 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111
Phone Number
(206) 787-3000

Em June 6, 2015 (3:52 pm)

Gross waste of fossil fuels (tugs for the barge, halted rush-hour traffic, gas for heli-photos of plastic kayaks pulled to the float site by fossil-fueled vehicles) in a largely illegal and haphazard protest of said fossil fuels (though it’s hard to guess from the website if that’s actually what being protested as the text is so *aimless*) is about as hypocritical as showing up to a PETA meeting in mink stole.

Add to that the vicious disrespect for our local environmental issues, community, and union workers, and you have myself and other supposedly apathetic West Seattlites *ashamed* to be involved in such a terrible show of what it means to be a concerned global citizen.

I heartily encourage an end this farce as it’s a disgrace to any agenda it proposes to be advancing.

Ray June 6, 2015 (5:05 pm)

Jason,
Just because it is a protest that you and your friends are voluntarily participating in, you are inconveniencing and annoying others at the same time. Your lack of concern for others in the community is reciprocated by many of us inconvenienced by your actions.

I am glad you find some sort of fulfillment in this actions, but do not assume your cause is universally shared or that you are necessarily “right”. There is no “right” and “wrong” here. Many oil operations around the world are well managed and environmentally sound. Many of us do support both the petroleum industry, the port of Seattle, and environmental concerns. They are not and do not have to be mutually exclusive. Do not act like they are.
May I suggest your take a more conciliatory tone in the future; your condescension was not appreciated. We are all allowed to have opinions on this matter.

JanS June 6, 2015 (5:47 pm)

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/05/map-pipeline-spill/

Norma June 6, 2015 (6:58 pm)

Thanks for toning it down tonight. I can still hear but it isn’t objectionable. Hope it stays that way. Have fun and thanks for responding. This way the neighbors can be included but still have a quiet evening if that’s what they need.

Jason June 6, 2015 (7:06 pm)

Ray,
Shell is not environmentally sound.

Neighbor June 6, 2015 (7:19 pm)

Here, here, Norma!
Kudos to the organizers for addressing the noise asap!
It’s so much better tonite!

LOVE WINS!

C June 6, 2015 (7:49 pm)

Waaaaaaa… I live in a super large major city but whine when people are ” making noise “. I can hear a touchdown @ thrift way… But no one complains about that…

Ex-Westwood Resident June 6, 2015 (7:52 pm)

Jason,
Thanks for the address and info for Foss.
Writing a them a letter tonight thanking them for providing jobs and revenue to the port, and to keep fight the good fight against these hypocritical protesters

Connie June 6, 2015 (8:17 pm)

So much for toning it down tonight. Rap music again. There is a blatant disregard for anyone but themselves. The police are trying to address this and have notified harbor patrol. In addition to their on water infractions they have set up a tent in the boat parking area also without a permit. Why do they think Shell and the city of Seattle are so at fault when they have no rules to follow because they are “protesting”. They are doing so much harm to their cause and are clueless about it. Please contact Chris Swenson,
Chair, Seattle Special Events Committee
chris.swenson@seattle.gov | 206-733-9245
to make sure they are never issued another city permit and to find out how the violations of their current permit can be enforced.

Mike June 7, 2015 (7:08 am)

The protestors do realize they’re aggravating the natural habitat with their incessant noise, right? The seals we want to protect, they’re actually impacted by the noise. Same with the otters, bald eagles, etc. So good job protestors, you’ve officially made that steel object sitting there really scared that it’ll leave…or not. But what you have done is pissed off neighbors and wildlife.

JanS June 7, 2015 (1:38 pm)

so…from the reports…was it toned down or wasn’t it? Or was it the type of music…would it be OK if it was classical or Peter, Paul, and Mary?

The reports on here varied, so it’s hard to tell about the toning down from we who don’t live near the site.

Connie June 7, 2015 (4:47 pm)

It was toned down for a short while then we had to listen to rap music again! The type of music doesn’t matter when it is so intrusive you can’t hear the tv in your own house.

Sorry, comment time is over.