Update: Harbor Avenue briefly blocked for ‘rescue’ – but all now OK

(Photo added 12:46 pm – SFD units that were there till it turned out the diver wasn’t missing after all)
We are on our way to the scene of a water-rescue call in the 1600 block of Harbor SW. Traffic in the area is snarled and police have it blocked right at The Bridge, so if you are trying to get to Alki, approach from the west – don’t go from Avalon, Spokane, bottom of Admiral, etc. Still working to get details of what the rescue call’s all about. 12:24 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Katie for word that this call went out as a diver missing near Salty’s. 12:32 PM: Christopher Boffoli is there and reports that what was reported as a missing diver, turned out to be a diver that got separated from their companion/s and has been found. All this should clear up soon. (But traffic lags – and it’s already a busy, sunny day at the beach – so we still advise approaching Alki from the west, for a while.)

16 Replies to "Update: Harbor Avenue briefly blocked for 'rescue' - but all now OK"

  • Mookie June 12, 2010 (12:24 pm)

    Diver was reported missing off the area by Salty’s.

  • jiggers June 12, 2010 (12:28 pm)

    Every year, every summer at least half a dozen divers drown here. It’s going to be a nightmare for traffic on Alki today.

    • WSB June 12, 2010 (12:31 pm)

      Good news, the missing diver has been found. So things should clear soon.

  • Mookie June 12, 2010 (12:35 pm)

    Hooray for a good ending! Diver found and is OK?

    • WSB June 12, 2010 (12:45 pm)

      Apparently the diver just got separated from whomever they were with – and didn’t realize a major scare had erupted.

  • jiggers June 12, 2010 (2:25 pm)

    It’s just a matter of time before the first drowning of the summer.

  • EyeLiveInWestSeattle June 12, 2010 (2:42 pm)

    Hey Jiggers…. nice that you can point out the good news. Thanks, sunshine.

  • cherie June 12, 2010 (5:36 pm)

    the diver was me, and i certainly didnt realize what a commotion i had caused till i popped up to the surface.
    i am very thankful for everyone that came to “rescue” me~ and so very sorry that it blocked traffic, tied up valuable resources and made anyones day miserable.
    i ,however, am fine and actually rejoined my class not too long later – after changing out my almost empty air tank! I learned my lesson!

  • DQ June 12, 2010 (6:09 pm)

    Cherie, so glad to hear that you are alright!

  • cherie June 12, 2010 (6:29 pm)

    thank you. just feel bad to have caused such a commotion….

  • Bassman June 13, 2010 (4:00 am)

    Cherie
    I’m glad your okay, Welcome to Scuba!
    It’s a great addiction to have, You’ll meet lots of new people!

  • cherie June 13, 2010 (5:34 pm)

    thank you bassman, got certified this afternoon..still cant go w/out a certified instructor though…
    my first open water dive was the one i got seperated on, and believe it or not, while i was underwater it was the best dive of the 4 i had this weekend!
    cherie

  • Beachmaster June 13, 2010 (6:31 pm)

    I’d like to know where you get your statistics Jiggers. Please back it up with a reference or two.

    As part of the dive community for the past 15 years I certainly haven’t lost that many diving friends let alone that many in one summer, each summer.

  • Grateful Diver June 14, 2010 (4:40 am)

    Every year, every summer at least half a dozen divers drown here. – jiggers
    That’s not true.

    There have been about a half-dozen diving fatalities at that site in the past decade.

    Accidents happen, whether you’re diving or driving. I’ve seen far more accidents on the highway.

    Fortunately, this was a minor accident that ended with nothing worse than a temporary interruption to traffic. For that we should be thankful …

  • Crystal Lake June 14, 2010 (6:40 pm)

    So happy to hear the diver is okay! My friend’s wedding reception was taking place at Salty’s during this time.

  • Diving Diva June 20, 2010 (4:22 pm)

    Cherie, I’m glad you are okay, but I’m not sure you “learned your lesson” if you think the best dive you had was where you lost your instructor and almost ran out of air. I hope your future dives with a dive master allow you to not only fall in love with diving, but learn the serious risks involved.

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