month : 09/2016 302 results

2:22 PM: Another report of plant theft, and this one adds insult to injury for Harris, who already was going through a tough time:

I just moved out of my rental house (Arbor Heights area) on the 1st. We were suddenly asked to move out so the house could be sold. The move has been difficult and stress filled.

There were large plants in containers that had to be temporarily left at the house so placement could be arranged. When I returned to the house to get them on the 2nd, the plants were gone. The house was vacant for one day. In that time someone stole the only plants I had intended on keeping. Some have extreme sentimental value to me. The retail value of the plants and containers is over 300$, but it’s not about the money. “They are just plants,” people say. To me, it’s like someone stole my pets. I’ve cared for them for many years and had intended on keeping them in my life. It’s so upsetting. It would be wonderful to have them back but I’m not keeping my hopes up.

Losing more and more faith in humanity everyday. Karma is going to come back around and get this person. Who steals plants? Seriously despicable!

The noticeable plants would be: 2 tall glossy black cylindrical pots. Overflowing with sedums/succulents, one has a weeping Alaska Cedar, the other has Black Bamboo. If they or any other plants in black pots are found discarded anywhere, please contact me, I would be very grateful!!!

Harris can be reached at harrisblakestarr (at) gmail (dot) com.

3:47 PM: Good news just in from Harris: Plants found several houses away. “Misunderstanding,” not theft.

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360 VIDEO: See who and what’s in the water off Alki Beach

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

What you see above is a new 360-degree video from “Diver Laura” James, a look at the “Junkyard” area off Alki Beach earlier this week, as she and dive buddy Lamont tested a new camera array. If you haven’t viewed this type of video before, it’s an active experience rather than passive – after you hit “play,” click and grab the video to see above, below, and all around. (We enjoyed looking up at the fish swimming near the surface.) Here are the accompanying notes from Laura:

The site is in full summer colors, with healthy looking and very ‘tall’ eelgrass and numerous fish. In the video I think I can make out 3 or 4 separate species of schooling fish. Shiner Perch, sand lance, tube snouts and possibly a salmon swimming through disturbing them all :)

There is still evidence of Sea Star wasting syndrome, when the small sunflower stars reach a certain size (just bigger than my hand) it seems some specimens become susceptible to the disease and proceed to tear themselves apart. There are numerous leather stars, and on the artificial habitat further towards the beach house noted several generations of rockfish from tiny, tiny babies to moderate-size adolescents and an adult or two.

We un-snagged a crab trap that had gotten wrapped around the bathtub and daisy-chained it’s rope so it won’t re-snag. So if a reader happened to have a snagged pot out there, well, it’s now free for you to collect.

Of note, folks should be aware that in the nearshore area there is often a fair bit of ‘habitat’ (read: our cast away junk that becomes home to critters) and it is very easy for the sinky nylon crab pot line to get entangled in the shifting currents and up and down tides. Often these free themselves after a night or so of current/tide changes, but if someone does snag or loose a pot not to far from shore where there is public beach access (and if no beach access maybe they could contact the homeowner and gain one time access), and then perhaps could post to the WSB Forum and that way a local diver could go un-snag it and therefor not have it continue fishing without supervision. This is obviously no guarantee, because the diver would be doing it out of the goodness of her heart, time allowed.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Since sharing the video earlier this week, Diver Laura also has sent a clip showing how she set up the 360 camera, and also her work with the aforementioned crab pot. You can watch that video here.

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On the calendar for your West Seattle Saturday…

September 3, 2016 8:14 am

| Comments Off on On the calendar for your West Seattle Saturday…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Pileated woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Happy Saturday, happy holiday weekend … along with relaxing and recharging for the autumn ahead, here are a few ways to spend the rest of the day:

ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET CLEANUP: Get over to Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) by 9 am and meet up with the Admiral Neighborhood Association for the quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup. Gear provided – all you need to bring is yourself. Treats, coffee, post-cleanup sack lunch provided. (41st/42nd/Admiral)

PLAY GAMES: 10 am-11:30 pm, there’s a lineup of meetups at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor). Or, you can just drop in and get your own game going! (3727 California SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history, headquarters of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is a great place to spend part of your holiday weekend. Noon-4 pm. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

COLMAN POOL: West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool, on the shore at Lincoln Park, is getting close to the end of its season – here’s the schedule for today’s noon-7 pm swim sessions. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)

ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Third-to-last day this year for free tours of historic Alki Point Lighthouse with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, 1-4 pm – arrive by 3:40 pm for the final round of touring. (Alki SW/Beach Drive SW)

JOHNNY AND THE MOLES: Live music with a full horn section! 9 pm at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE OUR COMPLETE CALENDAR for more.

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Crash on West Marginal Way SW

September 3, 2016 4:28 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:28 AM: If you heard all the sirens – a crash in the 5600 block of West Marginal Way SW [map] briefly got a big “heavy rescue” response, but the first units arriving say no one is trapped, so they’re canceling most of it.

4:35 AM: Police are directing traffic to get semitrucks through the area.

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PHOTOS: Chief Sealth IHS football home opener vs. Washington

September 3, 2016 12:41 am

| Comments Off on PHOTOS: Chief Sealth IHS football home opener vs. Washington

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

One home game for a local team as high-school football season began Friday night:

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

At Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School hosted Washington HS (Pierce County), which went home with the win, 60-20. The Seahawks were being shut out 35-0 until the last four minutes of the first half, when suddenly #2, senior Chase McNelly, caught fire.

“They got the touchdown fever,” announcer Eddie Snead (a Sealth history teacher) proclaimed admiringly after McNelly’s two TDs sent the Seahawks into halftime down 44-13. They have a new, yet not-so-new head coach this year:

As announced in April, Luther Carr III is back. He has a very young team, just a handful of seniors to work with.

But there’s time.

Besides supporting the team, spectators tonight were supporting Denny-Sealth Performing Arts via fundraising concessions:

Next Friday night (September 9th), Sealth is on the road vs. Nathan Hale.

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High-school football: West Seattle HS opens season with win

September 2, 2016 11:51 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The West Seattle High School Wildcats varsity football team is 1-0 after its first game of the season. On the road tonight in Clark County, they defeated Washougal HS, 28-21. Next Friday, the Tom Burggraff-coached Wildcats will be home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) vs. Ingraham

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Arrest after police search; security video shows would-be burglar

September 2, 2016 11:11 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

GREENBELT SEARCH: A few people asked about a police search late today in the greenbelt along the east end of the SW Roxbury corridor. We monitored it via scanner; tonight the suspect they sought is listed on the King County Jail register, including a citation for resisting arrest, which means he is charged and therefore we’re identifying him: 32-year-old Dillon Ruffcorn, also listed as having two “failure to appear” warrants in South King County, one in another resisting-arrest case, one for alleged car prowling. His bail is set at $18,000.

VIDEO SHOWS WOULD-BE BURGLAR: Back on Tuesday, we published Richard‘s report about an attempted break-in at his home in the 7100 block of Sylvan Lane. He has since sent five short security-video clips showing the would-be burglar. This is the clearest:

The other clips, all brief, are here, here, here, and here.

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NEXT WEEKEND: Celebrate Camp Long’s 75th anniversary

September 2, 2016 7:51 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

One week from tomorrow, you are invited to the 75th anniversary celebration for Camp Long, “the most unique city park in the country.” 11 am-5 pm on Saturday, September 10th, the big party will be held at the 68-acre park along with Mountain Fest. You can join in activities including rock climbing, ropes course, orienteering, nature exploration, outdoor skills, historical exhibit, falconry, crafts, and art. And don’t miss the flag ceremony at 1:30 pm. The park is at 5200 35th SW [map]. (It’s been six years since the last really big party there – the 2010 celebration of the Camp Long Lodge’s million-dollar renovations.)

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BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING: ‘Mom-made’ merchandise and more at My Three Little Birds

September 2, 2016 5:17 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Labor Day weekend means last-minute back-to-school shopping for many families. But you don’t have to take a trip to the mall – West Seattle’s independent retail stores have a lot to offer – including My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) in south Morgan Junction. Kids’ clothes, shoes, and backpacks are plentiful right now. And the shop’s unique features, proprietor Jennifer Young points out, is the “Mom-Made” section, with locally made items. “As a store we also focus on supporting local business by selling the goods of 13 local vendors, the majority of which are West Seattle-based artisans,” Young says.

“As a mom who started her own business to support her family, I love to pay it forward and support other talented moms by giving them a great place to sell their own creations,” Young adds. Lunch containers, water bottles, and books are in stock at My Three Little Birds too. The shop is at 6959 California SW and open 10 am-5 pm tomorrow, 11 am-4 pm on Sunday.

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About the helicopter: Just checking out ferry traffic

September 2, 2016 4:24 pm

| Comments Off on About the helicopter: Just checking out ferry traffic

| Fauntleroy | Helicopter | West Seattle news

If you were seeing/hearing the helicopter hovering in the Arbor Heights/Fauntleroy vicinity – no, nothing going on, just TV checking on the ferry traffic as the holiday weekend gets under way. Most recent report from Washington State Ferries was that Fauntleroy had a one-hour wait, not unusual for a summer Friday. You can see the “live” cameras at and near the terminal by going here.

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Despite Hanjin trouble, Port of Seattle insists Terminal 5 modernization is ‘vital’

September 2, 2016 2:56 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(July aerial of West Seattle with Terminal 5 at left, shared by David)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The news of shipping line Hanjin, a major Port of Seattle customer, filing for the equivalent of bankruptcy in its home country, South Korea, has sparked renewed discussion about the nine-digit-price-tag plan to modernize West Seattle’s Terminal 5.

Is the project really necessary, amid the turmoil in the shipping industry, with the port operating without T-5 for more than two years now? We put that question to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the entity formed a year ago by the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

First, the latest on how Hanjin’s receivership filing on Wednesday is affecting the Port of Seattle: Read More

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UPDATE: Water-line break in Sunrise Heights/Westwood

September 2, 2016 1:21 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Utilities | West Seattle news

1:21 PM: Thanks to the resident who texted to report a water outage in the 8100 block of 27th SW. We advised a call to the Seattle Public Utilities hotline (206-386-1800), and the resident reported back that SPU is working on a water-line break in the 27th SW/SW Kenyon vicinity. We’re checking with SPU to find out more.

2:07 PM: SPU spokesperson Ingrid Goodwin tells WSB that the break is on an 8-inch pipe at the location mentioned above [map]. “SPU crews have throttled the main, which means some customers are experiencing a reduction in pressure and while others may be out of water. This break is impacting about 25 homes and businesses in the area. At this time, I don’t have an estimated time when the repair will be complete and water restored.”

3:17 PM: Update from Goodwin: Repairs will take several hours, so the water will likely be back on between 7 and 9 pm.

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UPDATE: Heavy-rescue response in 9400 block 37th SW

September 2, 2016 11:32 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:32 AM: A sizable Seattle Fire “heavy rescue” response is headed to the 9400 block of 37th SW [map]. It’s a report of a car crashing into a garage.

11:46 AM: Our crew is at the scene and has been told no one is hurt. All SFD units are leaving except Engine 11. We’re waiting to talk with SPD to get details.

12:03 PM: Here’s what happened, according to police: The driver came down the Roxbury dead-end at 37th and veered off through the trees, onto residential property, clipping one structure and coming to a stop after crashing into a freestanding garage. They’re talking with the driver, who is unhurt.

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TONIGHT: High-school football season kickoff

September 2, 2016 10:21 am

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

High-school football season starts tonight:

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL HOME GAME: The Chief Sealth IHS Seahawks start their season with a home game vs. Washington HS (Pierce County), 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ON THE ROAD: At 7 pm, the West Seattle HS Wildcats will be in Clark County to play Washougal.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ON THE ROAD: At 7 pm, the SLHS Saints will be in Whatcom County to play Lummi Nation.

AT WEST SEATTLE STADIUM: O’Dea plays five home games at WS Stadium this season, and hosts Lincoln HS at 7 tonight. (4435 35th SW)

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PCC/apartments project at 2749 California SW gets OK to move to 2nd Design Review phase

September 2, 2016 9:04 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Architect presentation during 2749 California SW project meeting)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Madison Development Group‘s mixed-use project at 2749 California SW in Admiral has the go-ahead to move to the second and final phase of Design Review.

That approval came last night from the Southwest Design Review Board after the second Early Design Guidance session for the project, which proposes 112 apartments and a new 25,000-square-foot PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) store at the site that’s been home to the current one for more than a quarter-century.

Two SWDRB members – Matt Zinski, chairing, and T. Frick McNamara – and one substitute, former board member Robin Murphy, were in attendance, along with planner Josh Johnson from the Department of Construction and Inspections, filling in for the project’s assigned planner Crystal Torres. The gallery, including neighbors, observers, and project-team members, peaked at about 20.

Here’s how the meeting unfolded along the way: Read More

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday before Labor Day

September 2, 2016 7:22 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:22 AM: After-the-fact bus cancellation tweet/text just sent by Metro:

Transit Alert – Route 57 to downtown Seattle due to leave the Alaska Junction at 7:06 AM did not operate this morning.

— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) September 2, 2016

LABOR DAY REMINDERS: Metro, the West Seattle Water Taxi, and Washington State Ferries’ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route are all on Sunday schedules for the Monday Labor Day holiday.

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EARLY-MORNING TRAFFIC ALERT: Trouble at east end of West Seattle Bridge

September 2, 2016 1:21 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:21 AM: If you’re heading out on this rainy early morning – the one route you are NOT going to want to take is the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to southbound I-5. In the past hour or so, we’ve been monitoring scanner traffic about two crashes – currently, one that is reported to involve a jack-knifed semi-truck, blocking all lanes of SB I-5 just south of the WS Bridge. No major injuries reported in either one so far, and we don’t have full details, but we’ve heard enough to publish this alert.

2:04 AM: Some lanes of SB I-5 have reopened, per WSDOT, but the ramp from the EB WS Bridge is still blocked.

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FOLLOWUP: Hate-Free Delridge finalizes plan for September 24th ‘party with a purpose’

September 1, 2016 9:50 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(A proposed window sign/button design by Hate-Free Delridge’s Rob Becker, held by Susan Lebow)

By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

What started out four weeks ago with a meeting of concerned neighbors reacting to a hate crime in Pigeon Point has developed into a cohesive grass-roots group, determined to bring people together with the message of tolerance, inclusion, and community.

The core group met again, this time at Lisa Kauffman’s Puget Ridge home. Present were Rob Becker, Dave Gamrath, Stu Hennessey, Susan Lebow, Steve Richmond, and Pavan Vangipuram, all of whom have been with the group from the start (along with Rachel Glass, who was unable to attend).

Hennessey said he has spoken with the victim, Stephanie Endres. She wasn’t able to attend the meeting but said she’s aware of what’s being done by the group, called Hate-Free Delridge, as first reported here last month. Now, details for its official introduction and mission-kickoff event later this month have been firmed up: Read More

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FOLLOWUP: SDOT starts street markup for Admiral Way Safety Project

September 1, 2016 7:35 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:35 PM THURSDAY: Thanks for the tips: SDOT crews have started marking the roadway for upcoming lane changes as part of the final design of the SW Admiral Way Safety Project. Our photo shows what we found in the 61st SW-62nd SW area when we went by this afternoon. SDOT project reps did not respond to our subsequent request for an update on the construction schedule; during the August 20th walk-and-talk meetings (WSB coverage here), they had promised to get that information out “soon.” The project page says only that work will be done in “late summer/early fall.” The final design was announced via e-mail on July 21st.

The first version of the plan was unveiled in April 2015 at an Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting. Much neighborhood criticism ensued, especially concern over the city underestimating how much Admiral Way parking is needed for residents and visitors; the city re-evaluated and then held a second and final community meeting in July of last year.

At the walking tours last month, the focus was on the possibility of added pedestrian improvements along the route, and the project webpage says tomorrow (September 2nd) is the deadline to make suggestions along that line – go there to see how.

ADDED 11:43 AM FRIDAY: Finally heard back from SDOT. This “preparatory work” will continue into next week, says spokesperson Norm Mah: “We are looking to start construction toward the end of the month and will provide a 3-week notice prior to beginning construction.”

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Grabbed while running

September 1, 2016 4:25 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report, just received this afternoon:

I was out for a run early this morning and at around 6:15 AM a man ran up behind me really fast and grabbed my butt with both his hands. When I started to turn around he ran away in the opposite direction. I never saw his face but he was about 5’9 to 5’10 and was wearing a dark blue hoodie with the hood up and black jeans. This happened as I was running north on 44th Ave SW right before the Charlestown Ave SW intersection. I just want to get the word out to other women who may be out running or walking in the early morning.

This is the first incident of this type we recall hearing about in some time.

SIDE NOTES: First, before you ask: Yes, the man convicted in similar attacks (and more) early this decade is still in prison.

Second: The description, scant as it is, is reminiscent of this 2013 incident south of The Junction which, to our knowledge, has never been solved.

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FOLLOWUP: State cites contractor in West Seattle trench-collapse death

September 1, 2016 2:57 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

(WSB photo from massive SFD response on January 26th)

Seven months ago, at a jobsite in West Seattle, 36-year-old Harold Felton became the first person killed in a trenching-related incident in our state in seven years. Today, the state Department of Labor and Industries announced it has cited the contractor for whom he was working, and is seeking $51,500 in fines. Here’s the announcement:

A Seattle contractor is facing more than $50,000 in fines for safety violations that led to the death of a construction worker last January. Harold Felton was killed when the dirt walls of the trench he was working in collapsed and buried him. Rescuers were unable to dig him out in time to save his life.

The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited Alki Construction LLC for one willful violation, five serious and one general in connection with the incident last January. The fines total $51,500.

The company had dug trenches next to a Seattle home to replace a sewer line. The trench where the worker died was seven-feet deep and just under two-feet wide. There was no system in place to prevent all sides from caving in.

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction jobs. Cave-ins on these jobs kill two dozen or more workers each year in the U.S. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car and dirt walls can collapse suddenly without any warning, burying the victims instantly.

Cave-ins are far from rare. On May 3 in Boise, Idaho, two workers were killed in a trench collapse while working on a sewer project. On May 5 in Portland, Ore., a worker was killed while installing a sewer line in an 11-foot trench. There have been similar incidents in other states this summer.

Employers must ensure that adequate protections are in place to prevent cave-ins, and workers should never enter an unprotected trench, even for a quick task.

Alki Construction was cited for a “willful” violation with a penalty of $35,000 for not ensuring that trenches and excavations four-feet deep or more had a protective system in place to prevent the dirt sides from caving in.

The company was also cited for five serious violations:

*Alki Construction did not have a formal accident prevention program tailored to the needs of the operation and the type of hazards involved in trenching and excavation work ($3,500).

*There was no ladder, ramp or other safe means of exiting the excavated trench ($3,500).

*Sidewalks and structures that were undermined were not supported to protect employees from possible collapse ($3,000).

*Excavated dirt and other materials were placed less than two feet from the edge of the unprotected trench, where they could fall into the trench where employees were working ($3,000).

*There were no daily inspections of the excavations to monitor changing soil conditions ($3,500).

One general violation was cited for not ensuring walk-around safety inspections were documented.

A willful violation is one where L&I finds evidence of plain indifference or an intentional disregard to a hazard or rule. A serious violation is one where there is a substantial probability that worker death or serious physical harm could result from a hazardous condition.

As a result of the violations, Alki Construction LLC has been identified as a severe violator and is subject to follow-up inspections to determine if the conditions still exist.

The employer has 15 working days to appeal. Penalty money paid in connection with a citation is placed in the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping workers and families of those who have died on the job.

Visit L&I’s Trenching & Excavation topic page to learn more about trenching safety.

As reported here on January 26th, a major rescue response was called to the scene in the 3000 block of 36th SW before 11 am that day. By 11:30, though, it had shifted from a rescue attempt to a recovery operation. As we reported at the time, the contractor had no previous record of violations.

P.S. Following up with L&I, we’ve learned that although the news release about the citation was published (and is dated) today, the department actually issued the citation in July and delivered it August 20th, so the deadline for an appeal is September 12th.

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COUNTDOWN: WestFest ‘Carnival of Community’ set for September 16-17

September 1, 2016 2:09 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Summer-ish fun isn’t all over yet – some big events are yet to come, and today brings the official announcement of one of them: WestFest, 6-10 pm Friday, September 16th, and 10 am-10 pm Saturday, September 17th:

Please be a part of West Seattle’s ‘Carnival of Community’, brought to you by Holy Rosary School! Come experience great local music, eat delicious food, race up, around, or down the inatable rides, climb the rock wall, or spin until you’re dizzy! There is so much to do and see, including bingo, a cake walk with scrumptious prizes, a kids’ talent show and carnival-style games galore. There’s a beer garden for adults too — there is truly something for everyone at WestFest!

BLOW-OUT FUN WRISTBANDS

Take unlimited turns on our wide selection of rollicking rides on Friday (9/16) and Saturday (9/17) with an activity wristband.

Back by demand… Toddler Time from 10 am-12 pm on Saturday (9/17), where kids 4 and under get exclusive access to 3 rides for a reduced price, when purchasing a wristband.

Discount-priced wristbands will be available in advance at Holy Rosary’s Pancake Breakfast starting at 8 am on Sunday, September 11th. The prices (advance and day-of) are on the festival flyer. The festival is held on the school grounds, on 42nd SW north of SW Genesee.

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BIG SWIM: For 1st time in 57 years, Bremerton-to-Alki attempt planned Sunday

September 1, 2016 11:30 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy Northwest Open Water Swimming Association)

Meet Erika Norris. The accomplished Seattle-residing swimmer is going to try this Sunday to become the second person to swim from Bremerton to Alki Point Lighthouse. Word of her plan comes from another area open-water swimmer, Andrew Malinak, who says the first person to do it was Amy Hiland in 1959. Erika, like Andrew, is a regular Alki Beach swimmer, “and is very familiar with the challenges posed by the cold water, weather, and currents in this part of Puget Sound,” he says, adding in his announcement that the plan for her attempt at the 10.4-mile crossing should go like this:

Erika will begin in Bremerton around 10 am, and expects to land at the low tide near 2 pm. She will be supported by two boats and a crew of four as she traverses the ferry lanes in Rich Passage and the main shipping channel off Alki Point. The swim will be sanctioned and recorded by the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association (NOWSA), a 501c3 non-profit promoting the sport of marathon swim in the Northwest.

NOWSA plans to track the swim here on Sunday. You can see the route here.

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