UPDATE: Water-rescue response off Don Armeni Boat Ramp, 3rd response in 2 days for same boat

12:12 PM: Thanks for the tip about the Seattle Fire crews headed toward Don Armeni Boat Ramp. There’s a water-rescue response for a reported vessel in distress. They’re not sure, according to first units on scene, whether there’s anyone aboard the boat, but they’re planning a quick search to find out.

(Added: Reader photo from Steve)

12:17 PM: SFD describes the boat as 18′, “partially submerged.” They’re sending in divers and rescue swimmers to be sure no one’s in the water. But as we suspected, it’s just been confirmed, this is the same boat that was towed to Don Armeni yesterday after taking on water off Beach Drive.

12:24 PM: “No one on boat, no one in danger” responders have just told dispatch. They’re trying to reach the boat owner with whom they made contact yesterday.

12:45 PM: Many of the responding units have been dismissed. Adding photo above, posted in a comment by Steve, and photo below, emailed by Stewart L.

(Added: Reader photo from Stewart L.)

10;42 PM: As of about 8 pm, the boat was still alongside one of Don Armeni’s docks, half-submerged.

Steve September 4, 2025 (12:41 pm)

As seen from Jack Block Park.

WSB September 4, 2025 (12:44 pm)

Thank you!
- bill September 4, 2025 (7:42 pm)
  
  Lil boat is scared. Hiding from big boat.

Rhonda September 4, 2025 (1:14 pm)

No bueno. Those 3 responses in 2 days are expensive and taking rescue resources away from other potential vessel emergencies. Seems like crews should beach the craft at this point.

Neighbor September 4, 2025 (4:43 pm)

It’s already on the boat ramp, how much more beached do you want it? What emergency response was missed because of this incident? Looks to me like everything is working fine.
- Rhonda September 4, 2025 (6:20 pm)
  
  They can’t leave it on the boat ramp. SMH
- Adam September 4, 2025 (10:32 pm)
  
  So responding twice in one day and having to return for a third the next day is “working fine”? I appreciate the optimism and your Scrooge McDuck-esque money silo that doesn’t notice the effects of wasted tax money.

Dad September 4, 2025 (2:22 pm)

That looks like a sunk cost.

Rhonda P September 4, 2025 (4:32 pm)

We noticed this boat when it was first beached on the shores of Emma Schmitz View Point yesterday morning. The “skipper” came out once the tide started to come in and his boat started floating. The lines were a mess and all the bumpers were out. It didn’t look like he was an experienced boater. I hope they and their dog is okay.

Kato September 6, 2025 (9:45 am)

Dog is fine

Kersti Muul September 4, 2025 (7:26 pm)

About 200 gallons of gasoline are estimated to have been on board…

Dan the boat guy September 5, 2025 (7:30 am)

It’s a 150 gallon tank and had less than a quarter tank. Boat was powered down after orcas were sighted nearby.

Sigh September 4, 2025 (8:23 pm)

The post below just showed up in my browsings…”estimated 200 gallons of fuel on board!” What is wrong with this “skipper”?

WSB September 5, 2025 (12:22 am)

Interesting, no hint of Ecology when we dropped by just after dark. Also one factual error there, the boat was not originally in trouble in Elliott Bay, it was off Beach Drive. Twice. Also, 30 feet? Was described previously, twice, as 18-20.

Dan the boat guy September 4, 2025 (11:42 pm)

So after the first distress call was made (not from the boat) the fire dept left the boat tied to a mooring buoy knowing the boat had no power. No power means no bilge which pumps water out from inside of a boat. When called back to the boat a charger was then provided and the boat towed back to don armeni. The reason the boat went dead was because when coming around alki point the so called inexperienced captain shut down after orcas were alongside the boat. Unfortunately it was left off for too long without ensuring lights were off and so it could not start again. Appreciate the concern about tax dollars going towards what they are supposed to be used for and don’t worry I’m ok, still alive and would love to find out what more important things tax dollars could go to rather than helping keep me from dying while tied to a mooring buoy when the boat shouldve been towed into shore instead. I thank the fire dept and everyone for all their help and the boat is almost out of the water. Just waiting on the tides at this point

Dan September 5, 2025 (12:09 am)

Boat is upright and secure. Should be pumping water out and floating again soon

Concerned September 5, 2025 (5:31 pm)

Dan, it happened a 4th time! What happened? Are you ok?
Testing determined that was a lie September 8, 2025 (2:36 pm)

People would have more sympathy if this didn’t happen repeatedly and dump oil which hurts the wildlife first and foremost. Towing isn’t a big deal if it meant no oil ever leaked.

Scupper September 5, 2025 (3:15 pm)

Noticed the running lights were on when bumping on the rock at Emma Schmitz Memorial Park at mid day on Wednesday. Skip was able to motor out in reverse and headed out near the north bound shipping lane. Drifted back in north of Lowman Beach when the posse arrived the first time. An anchor would’ve been pretty handy to keep it off the beach/rocks.

Sorry, comment time is over.