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1. alfrescogem
   Member Profile

   Recently moved to Genesee Hill ridge and am now very aware , especially around 6am, of a loud rumbling engine noise. Wonder if this is ferries? water treatment plant? The neighbors say they cannot hear it, but I am guessing that they have just blocked the noise out after many years>
   Anyone know what I am talking about?

   Posted 3 years ago #         

2. Bonnie
   Member Profile

   I live directly above the ferries and really don't hear much.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

3. WSB
   Member Profile

   

   On the Genesee side, the wastewater plant would be more likely than the ferry dock, for sure. We are also relatively close to the dock, and uphill, and the only thing that's ever loud is the sound of foghorns (from other ships too) on the occasions when they are needed - TR

   Posted 3 years ago #         

4. Luckie
   Member Profile

   

   I'm in Admiral, near PCC, and I hear it too sometimes. I heard it this morning about 8 a.m. It's a low thrumming sound. I've always imagined that it's a big ship of some sort rounding Alki.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

5. Gina
   Member Profile

   

   It is most likely the passenger only ferry--it has a very distictive sound, and it does reverberate off the hillside.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

6. JayDee
   Member Profile

   I second Gina's opinion;, I see/hear the passenger ferry as it approaches and passes Alki Point now and then and it has a very distinctive beat to it's noise: a "WHaaaaaaa....whaaa....WHaaaaaaa" pattern.

   The volume of the sound seems to vary depending on atmospherics and sometimes I can't hear it. I think this is one of those sounds that shows how quiet Alki is generally (Sorry Delridge...).

   Posted 3 years ago #         

7. WesCAddle
   Member Profile

   

   Yep, it's the passenger ferry from Vashon to Downtown. It leaves Vashon at 7:00am, and 8:15am. It leaves downtown back to Vashon at 7:35am. Also in the evenings you will hear it between 4:45pm and 6:10pm doing three trips. Only on the weekdays...it doesn't run on the weekends.
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   I believe they are running The Skagit/Kalama ( http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/your_wsf/our_fleet/index.cfm?vessel_id=83 ) on this run, but it could be the Chinook/Snohomish. Maybe someone can confirm?
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   It sounds like they are not able to synchronize the four engines properly. If you've ever flown in a small turboprop airplane you will hear the same sound as the engines run at slightly different frequencies.
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   Here is a pretty cool page with all the Washington State Ferry's. ( http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/your_wsf/our_fleet/index.cfm?fuseaction=classes )

   Posted 3 years ago #         

8. ellenater
   Member Profile

   

   I like the sound! But I'm also not living in proximity so as to be disturbed by it! And I like urban rhythm sounds in general...

   Posted 3 years ago #         

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