SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Submarine and escorts – and steam

9:58 AM: Thanks for the tips and photo. A U.S. Navy submarine was in view off Alki Point a short time ago, with surface escorts. It’s not identified on the public tracking service we use, but a tugboat with it is tracking and continuing to head north.

10:05 AM: Another reader just sent the closer look we’ve added above. We have an inquiry out to USN Public Affairs to see if there’s anything they can tell us about the submarine.

1:12 PM: Lt. Zachary Anderson from Submarine Group 9 at Bangor didn’t identify the submarine, but regarding the attention-getting steam, he told us that “there are numerous routine submarine operations that may result in steam. The most likely is that the submarine was practicing using its diesel engine. When the boat does so steam and exhaust is released at the surface through its sail.”

2 Replies to "SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Submarine and escorts - and steam"

  • Atomic Aerials February 4, 2025 (11:00 am)

    Looks to be Seawolf class, and it doesn’t really look like its moving under its own power, with how close the tugs are. The USS Connecticut has been undergoing repairs at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since 2023 after it collided with an undersea mountain in 2021. To me this looks like it has been refloated and is being moved to Bangor. 

    • WSB February 4, 2025 (11:11 am)

      Thank you!

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