West Seattle, Washington

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Seen at sea 1271 results

UPDATE: Three open-water marathon swims planned this week – first one is a success!
August 21, 2024 10:50 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The Northwest Open Water Swimming Association has three swimmers planning marathon swims in the area this week, starting with one happening right now:

HAPPENING NOW: Above is a screenshot of the tracker showing where Chelsea Lee was moments ago – at 10:45 am – in her attempt to complete what’s known as the Bert Thomas Swim, almost 19 miles from Old Town Dock in Tacoma to Point Williams by Colman Pool in West Seattle. NOWSA’s Amanda Winans explains, “Chelsea trains at Alki Beach and has also completed the Amy Hiland Swim in 2022, from Bremerton to the Alki Lighthouse.” Amanda is the official observer on the support boat for this swim and is one of two other swimmers who’ve done this swim since its namesake in 1956; the other is Andrew Malinak, who is also aboard the support boat as pilot. Chelsea started in the 6 am hour this morning and if successful will reach Point Williams in mid-afternoon. (Update: As of 2:20 pm, they are projecting 3 pm-ish. Second update: Tracker indicates she finished in just over 9 hours! Third update: Amanda sent the photo and reports, “Chelsea finished in about 9 hours, 3 min, at 3:07 pm at Colman Pool. She got to finish it off in style and go down the Colman Pool slide! Photo is by Stephanie Zimmerman.)

Amanda also tells us about two other marathon swims planned this week:

FRIDAY: Wendy Van De Sompele of Vashon Island – who you might know as aquatic director at Colman Pool – plans to swim from Alki Point to West Point, six miles. If successful, Amanda says, Wendy will be the first person to complete 5 out of the 6 swims in the Puget Sound Lighthouse Series. She plans to start her swim from Alki Point at 10 am Friday (August 23).

SUNDAY: This is a round trip, also from Alki Point, Amanda explains:

An all-female relay, supported by a female pilot and a female observer (local marathon swimmer Stephanie Zimmerman) will swim an unprecedented route for NOWSA from Alki Point Lighthouse, around Blake Island, and back to the lighthouse. Melissa Kegler, a Triple Crown marathon swimmer (English Channel, Catalina Channel, around Manhattan Island) spearheads the relay, which includes women covering all decades from 30-70: Becky Smith, Carol Horowitz, Guila Muir, Emily White, and Shea DeWald. They are all “Notorious Alki Swimmers” who you will find swimming regularly from the Alki Bathhouse, and Carol, Emily, and Shea are West Seattle residents. Boat support will be provided by Seastr PNW, an organization dedicated to inclusive access to waterborne activities for people who have been historically excluded from the maritime industry and water sports. They will be starting from the Alki Lighthouse at 8 am, and returning back sometime in the afternoon.

Both of those swims will use the same online tracker as today – find it here.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, en route to new homeport
August 13, 2024 2:37 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to the anonymous reader who sent that photo of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as it passed West Seattle, headed for Bremerton, this past hour. It’ll be homeported there while getting work done at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard; for almost a decade, it’s been homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. The carrier was last seen here in 2013, when it was headed for San Diego.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, inbound
August 3, 2024 6:34 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

6:34 PM: Thanks for the texted tip! MarineTraffic.com confirms that’s the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), southbound toward Alki Point right now. Four weeks have passed since the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier headed out.

7:44 PM: Added a photo, texted by a reader who was on the Bremerton ferry when it passed Nimitz. (Thank you!)

P.S. A search for recent news about the Nimitz reveals the Navy has initiated the “deactivation” process, looking ahead to decommissioning it in 2026.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Sunrise salmon fishing
August 2, 2024 11:39 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Thanks to everyone who sent photos of today’s sunrise over downtown, with fishing boats out on the bay. It’s the first of four consecutive days in which inner Elliott Bay is open to Chinook salmon fishing, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is posting fishing-season updates here. This next photo, taken, a bit later, is from Brian Moore:

Brian says the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking lot “was full by 5:00,” so apparently this was an exception to Parks’ earlier statement about the 6:00 am lot-opening time. (Update: Don Armeni’s website says it’s opening daily at 4 am through Monday.) According to WDFW, fishing is supposed to end (corrected) by noon Monday.

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UPDATE: Seafair Parade of Ships 2024 passes West Seattle
July 30, 2024 12:32 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Photo by Gary Jones – USS Sampson passing Alki)

12:32 PM: As noted in our daily event list, today’s the day for Seafair‘s downsized Parade of Ships, this year featuring one U.S. Navy destroyer and several U.S. Coast Guard boats. The official “parade” is along the downtown waterfront, but the participating ships sail eastward along Alki and the rest of West Seattle’s north-facing shoreline along the way, so we’re watching from Luna/Anchor Park, as the ships approach Alki Point for their eastward turn. In addition to the ship announced this morning by the U.S. Navy, USS Sampson (DDG 102), online tracking identifies the USCG participants as including Terrapin, Osprey, Sea Lion, buoy tender Henry Blake, and newly commissioned David Duren. (Seattle fireboat Leschi is heading out to greet them.)

(Photo by Javier Fosado – SFD fireboat Leschi with USS Sampson)

The Sampson and some of the USCG vessels will be open for tours on the downtown waterfront Wednesday-Sunday; see the schedule here.

12:54 PM: Now passing Duwamish Head, with the Sampson leading the way.

1:39 PM: The ships have moved on to downtown.

2:42 PM: Here are our pics with a closer look:

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Duwamish canoe family joins Tribal Journey, launching from Don Armeni Boat Ramp
July 29, 2024 6:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Duwamish Tribe | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

As we’ve been chronicling since the weekend, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family is joining this year’s scaled-down regional Tribal Journey – but had to change plans today because of stormy weather. Instead of paddling from Suquamish and landing at Alki on the way to tonight’s Tribal Journey stop in Des Moines, the Duwamish canoe launched this afternoon from Don Armeni Boat Ramp.

Though this year’s Canoe Journey focus is on youth paddlers, the participating canoe families are bringing paddlers of all ages, with the elders serving as menors. Among those on the Duwamish canoe is one of the tribe’s longtime board members, Ken Workman, a descendant of Chief Sealth:

After tonight’s stop at Saltwater State Park (Alki was not an official stop this year, but the Duwamish were going to make a ceremonial visit), canoe families head to Tacoma tomorrow.

The Puyallup Tribe is this year’s Canoe Journey host. A different tribe hosts each year.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Outrigger-canoe racing Saturday at Alki
July 26, 2024 11:58 am
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Outrigger-canoe racing Saturday at Alki
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, July 2023)

The first of this summer’s two major human-powered-boat racing events at Alki is happening tomorrow! Dozens of outrigger-canoe paddlers from around the region are expected for the annual “Da Grind” races, hosted by the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club. The event will last much of the day, starting with registration at 7 am and continuing until awards are presented around 3:30 pm. Paddlers will race on one of two courses – 4 miles (along Alki) or 12 miles (out to Blake Island and back); see the maps on the race page.

P.S. The other major human-powered boat racing event is Sound Rowers’ Great Cross-Sound Race, coming up August 24.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Tall ship Lady Washington, northbound
July 22, 2024 3:57 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Mark Daughhetee for the photo of tall ship Lady Washington off Alki today! Two months ago, another reader caught it headed southbound for a stay in Tacoma; today it’s in transit from Port Orchard to Everett. The 35-year-old replica of an 18th-century sailing ship is homeported in Aberdeen but sails around the region (and beyond) offering day/evening sailing trips and tours (see its schedule here).

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In case you wondered too: U.S. Coast Guard ‘demonstration’ off Alki
July 18, 2024 2:24 pm
|    Comments Off on In case you wondered too: U.S. Coast Guard ‘demonstration’ off Alki
 |   Helicopter | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Courtesy Mark B. Bauschke Photography)

Thanks to everybody who asked, and sent images, of the U.S. Coast Guard operation off Alki this past hour. We called District 13 Public Affairs to ask; they told us it was a “rescue demonstration.”

(Video sent by Eli Barlag)

(Photo sent by Thomas Bach)
Early warning that you’ll also see USCG non-emergency activity over and off Alki on July 30th – that’s the date for this year’s Seafair Parade of Ships, and the USCG will be participating along with the US Navy and Canadian Navy.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, outbound
July 7, 2024 9:51 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Added: Photo by D, via X/Twitter)

Thanks to Andrea for the tip! As confirmed by MarineTraffic.com, the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is northbound in Puget Sound right now, sailing across the mouth of Elliott Bay.

(Added: Photo sent by Kevin)

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Historic former Coast Guard Cutter Comanche
May 25, 2024 2:02 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo! The historic former Coast Guard Cutter Comanche passed West Seattle today, northbound from its home in Tacoma, headed for South Lake Union, where it’s scheduled for an open house at Lake Union Park. It’s owned by a foundation that’s been raising money to restore it; the ship’s history is on this website – it’s 80 years old and served as a tug after its decommissioning in 1980.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Tall ship Lady Washington – here’s where it was going
May 20, 2024 5:57 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Tall ship Lady Washington – here’s where it was going
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Robin for the photo! She and others mentioned the tall ship Lady Washington passing West Seattle this afternoon. The Aberdeen-homeported ship was heading to Tacoma, where it’ll be offering day sails and dockside tours for several weeks starting Thursday. The Lady Washington is a replica of an 18th-century ship of the same name, built in 1989 (here’s the history), and has been featured in movies including episodes of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Star Trek” series.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Four-hour fishing season
May 16, 2024 9:53 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Logan for the photo. Several people have asked about the gathering of boats in Elliott Bay (and trailers at Don Armeni Boat Ramp). It’s the one-day, four-hour spot-shrimp season, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife website – 9 am to 1 pm. There may be an encore during the same hours May 30 “if quota remains,” WDFW says. Spot shrimp, aka prawns, are described as the largest shrimp in Puget Sound; they can grow to up to nine inches long.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Here’s what those fishing boats are going after
May 1, 2024 11:49 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Mary for the photo taken before the morning clouds cleared. As discussed here, the reason for the concentration of boats off west-facing West Seattle is that recreational fishing season is open for lingcod.

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FYI: Law-enforcement air/sea training today
April 18, 2024 10:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Helicopter | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

An alert from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

Heads up! Today until 3 PM we are conducting joint training with the King County Water Taxi in Elliott Bay. If you see Guardian One & an increased police presence, there is no cause for alarm.

Guardian One is the KCSO helicopter, which is also used by other law-enforcement agencies including Seattle Police.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Elephant-seal sighting
April 15, 2024 10:23 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Just in from Kersti Muul: “Male elephant seal off Weather Watch Park. Pretty close in.” If you’re not familiar with it, Weather Watch is the beachfront pocket park at Beach Drive/SW Carroll (across from La Rustica). You can see what elephant seals look like in this sighting report from 2021.

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Cruise season starts Saturday at Pier 66, but unplugged for now
April 3, 2024 1:30 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Port of Seattle photo, Norwegian Bliss in 2018)

As commenter CarDriver pointed out below the morning traffic/transportation roundup, Seattle’s cruise season is about to start – you’ll see the first of those giant passenger ships on Elliott Bay by Saturday (April 6), when NCL’s Norwegian Bliss is expected to sail from Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront. The port already offers shore power at its other cruise terminal, in Magnolia, and has been working on it for Pier 66 (see info on the $44 million project here), but it won’t be available at the start of the season. Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw tells WSB that the shore-power capability at Pier 66 is expected to launch around midseason (which would be midsummer, as cruise season continues until early October). See this year’s ship schedule here.

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FOLLOWUP: Don Armeni Boat Ramp dock-replacement project, one month in
February 14, 2024 6:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Doug Eglington for sending the photo. Piling placement work continues at West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp, one month after the start of the long-in-the-works dock-replacement project. American Construction is the contractor for the work to install new concrete floats and steel pilings, which is expected to continue until mid-March, with one float kept open at all times so the ramp remains usable.

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SEEN ON SHORE: This morning’s ‘king tide’ delivers a dock
February 13, 2024 9:49 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

If you’re missing a 12-foot-or-so length of dock, that might be it in Angela‘s photo above (thanks also to Pam for a similar report). In the wake of this morning’s 13-foot “king tide,” the wayward wooden structure was seen by Luna/Anchor Park on Duwamish Head.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: First sailboat race of the year
January 6, 2024 12:03 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

12:03 PM: No photos yet but thanks to Tiah for asking via a comment – all those sailboats off west-facing West Seattle are part of the year’s first race, the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race. 65 registrants, according to the TTPYC website. The route (mapped here) goes from Des Moines to, of course, Duwamish Head, and back.

(Reader photo)

12:23 PM: Thanks to those who have since sent pics!

(Reader photo)

(Photo by Gene Pavola)

ADDED 2:39 PM: Jamie Kinney recorded some aerial video as the boats rounded Alki Point:

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VIDEO: Waves of holiday music wash over Don Armeni audience during Christmas Ship’s first 2023 West Seattle stop
November 24, 2023 9:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

The sky was clear, as were the voices of The Dickens Carolers, as the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship made its first of this year’s three West Seattle stops tonight at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. We recorded the mini-concert of holiday classics on video:

The downtown skyline provided a gleaming backdrop, including the red and green roof lights of the SODO stadiums. This year’s West Seattle schedule is the same as last year, so you have two more chances tomorrow to see and hear the Christmas Ship without leaving the peninsula – 5:35 pm at/near Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW, WSB sponsor) and 8:35 pm at Alki (usually near the Bathhouse, 60th/Alki), with a Seattle Parks-supervised bonfire on the beach.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, inbound
November 9, 2023 1:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips! Six days after it headed northbound, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is headed back home to Bremerton, passing the mouth of Elliott Bay right now before turning into Rich Passage.

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UPDATE: Short-lived emergency response for sailboat south of Lincoln Park
November 6, 2023 8:17 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Short-lived emergency response for sailboat south of Lincoln Park
 |   Fauntleroy | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

8:17 PM: SFD is sending units by land and sea to look into a report of a 30′ sailboat that’s possibly adrift 200 feet offshore, south of Lincoln Park.

8:23 PM: Responders say it’s an anchored vessel, not in distress, so they’re canceling the response.

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