1:27 PM: We’re at Alki, where the heavy-lift ship Zhen Hua 31 is in view in the distance, headed this way, carrying 4 huge “super-post-Panamax” cranes – lift height of 165 feet – to the Port of Tacoma. Backstory is in our Monday preview. The Northwest Seaport Allianc tells us that, as was the case when a similar delivery was made a year ago, the ship will be pausing to change pilots, so it’s likely to be in view a while.
1:53 PM: The ship is at the bay’s entrance now.
(This photo and next by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
2:22 PM: Back out of the bay now.
Should be visible a while longer from west-facing West Seattle.
3:04 PM: Now out of West Seattle waters, passing Burien. (More photos added)
(This photo and next by David Hutchinson)
And yes, we’ll see cranes like these headed for West Seattle’s Terminal 5 eventually – the NWSA says the modernization project to make T-5 big-ship-ready will include them.
ADDED 7:15 AM WEDNESDAY: For some reason the Zhen Hua 31, cranes and all, sailed back up here at some point and is now off West Seattle again. Trying to find out why.
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