UPDATE: Seafair Parade of Ships 2017, sailing past West Seattle

(Photos by Gary Jones)

1:03 PM: Running later than usual – due along the downtown waterfront at 1 pm but just now approaching Alki, passing South Bainbridge – the Seafair Parade of Ships has begun. (And yes, that’s why you’re seeing helicopters over Elliott Bay to the north.)

The two US Navy ships, destroyer USS Michael Murphy and amphibious-transport USS Anchorage, are in the lead, followed by Royal Canadian Navy ships and the US Coast Guard cutter Mellon. And a Seattle Fire Department fireboat is just off mid-Alki awaiting them. Still very hazy from wildfire smoke, so visibility isn’t good enough to photograph them until they’re passing.

(WSB video)

1:22 PM: Now passing Alki, with the fireboat spraying a welcome.

1:40 PM: The fireboat and Navy ships are about to round Duwamish Head, with the Canadian and USCG ships passing mid-Alki behind them.

5:26 PM: Photos added. The ships are now docked downtown – if you’re interested in touring them, this Seafair webpage has the times, places, and rules.

8 Replies to "UPDATE: Seafair Parade of Ships 2017, sailing past West Seattle"

  • Christy August 2, 2017 (1:18 pm)

    I so wish I could be there in person. We have a sailor on the Anchorage and would LOVE to see him and his shipmates.  Hope everyone has a great week! Thanks for the updates!

    Navy Family in Ohio

  • Mary August 2, 2017 (1:35 pm)

    Very hazy from the smoke. Here’s what I’m seeing from my office downtown.

  • Mary August 2, 2017 (1:37 pm)

    Also seeing a few protestors via kayaks and sailboats along the waterfront, between the Great Wheel and the aquarium (they were in front of Bell Harbor Marina earlier, which is where the navy ships were docked/will dock again).

  • KA August 2, 2017 (2:12 pm)

    It’s so smoky, our smoke detectors just went off twice because our windows are open! Our alarm company was alerted—something to be aware of today if you have an alarm system and aren’t home.

  • pat davis August 2, 2017 (2:58 pm)

    WHERE  are the wildfires?  I have been smelling smoke day/night for a number of days. I read where the EPA issued a burn ban in  Yakima tribal area of no outdoor burning due to air quality problems.

    Go to http://www.pscleanair.org   and get air quality information and forecasts for our area

    Remember (BBQ folks and fireplace burners)  per EPA :    Wood Smoke is  12 (yes, twelve) TIMES   more toxic than a cigarette. Not  double the toxicity of a cigarette:  twelve times. Not ‘kind’ to the environment or your downwind neighbors. That is something important to know. Pass it along please.

    • WSB August 2, 2017 (3:43 pm)

      They are mostly all over B.C. I’ve linked to a couple BC news stories in the last two stories about the smoke and will be doing so again in the story about the burn ban at 4 pm.

  • Anon August 2, 2017 (3:29 pm)

    Currently waiting to board the water taxi and can see what appears to be a submarine. 

    • Heather August 2, 2017 (5:04 pm)

      Really? Cool!

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