Lost and found on West Seattle beaches: Three wayward rafts

The past few days’ high tides have juggled at least three rafts on West Seattle’s shores.

(August 2012 photo by Gary Jones)
Above, the renowned Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft is missing from its usual spot between Alki Point and the west end of Alki Beach Park. Guy Smith tells WSB it drifted away late Sunday or early Monday; if you see it, please call 206-937-8742.

Just before and after we heard from Guy, we got two other reports of found rafts, but he says neither is his, so we’re publishing these photos in hopes someone recognizes one or both of them:

Melinda photographed that one at Constellation Park (off Beach Drive, south of Alki Point) at mid-afternoon Monday, saying she saw it float up “from the south” the day before. Next, Megan says she spotted the next one on the north beach at Lincoln Park, “just around the point”:

No guarantee these are still where they were when photographed, but the highest high tides are on the wane so there’s a chance they might be.

Guy Smith February 5, 2013 (9:36 am)

Thanks for posting the story Tracy. Unfortunately, we can almost set our watches with this recurring event.
Melinda’s photo of the beached raft at Constellation Park shows a good clue for anyone searching. Two galvanized cleats are screwed to its top.

Jtk February 5, 2013 (11:20 am)

It seems like this story is almost every other few weeks / month…. Maybe we can get better ties for the rafts.. so we don’t have to keep hearing about it… good lord…

WSB February 5, 2013 (11:55 am)

10 months since the last lost-raft story here.

debmark February 5, 2013 (12:57 pm)

Guy,
ya gotta row out there every few weeks to check on things or they are going to get loose. I too have a wildlife raft and weather low or high tide every few weeks some part of it needs attention. I’ve tried every combo of swivels, short line, long line, tied from above, tied from below and it still gets hay wire. Good luck.