Puget Sound Maritime

Fishing options abound in August

Tim Flanagan — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:25:42 +0000

Deborah Bach has the story at Three Sheets Northwest:

Summer fisheries are in full swing, and state officials say anglers can look forward to even more great fishing opportunities in the days ahead.

Anglers are reeling in chinook salmon off the coast, pulling up pots full of crab in Puget Sound and casting for trout in alpine lakes on both sides of the Cascades.

Rather crack some crab? Fisheries for Dungeness crab are open throughout August in most areas of Puget Sound – the exception being Marine Area 7-North near the Canadian border, which opens Aug. 11.

Weather alert for boaters from Cliff Mass

Tim Flanagan — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:05:33 +0000

Cliff Mass’s wonderful weather blog has this item today, which discusses the weekend’s weather patterns, but also mentions a project that regional mariners ought to be aware of:

Please help researchers evaluate how to communicate weather forecast information. The survey will take you only 20 minutes to complete. Survey data will be used to improve weather forecast products designed for boaters. If you own a boat and would like to participate, please click on the link below. Thank you.

Click to take the survey

Vancouver BC: Burrard Bridge Allision

Tim Flanagan — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:55:34 +0000

Woops! Captain Richard Rodriguez has this story at BitterEnd, provided (with pictures) by Chris Walker of Vancouver, BC:

Today, I was witness to an accident in False Creek where a very large sail boat ran up under the Burrard Bridge and caught her mast on the undersides of the bridge.

Inner-Elliott Bay chinook fishery closes after this weekend due to poor chinook returns

Tim Flanagan — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:53:50 +0000

Mark Yuasa has the story in his blog at the Seattle Times:

There was feeling in the air since the inner-Elliott Bay chinook fishery started on July 2 that it wasn’t going to live up to expectations this summer.

As each weekend went by catches in the sport fishery never amounted to much, nor did the tribal test fishery held on each of the past three Wednesdays.

Thus a decision was made by state Fish and Wildlife to close inner-Elliott Bay to sport fishing after this Saturday and Sunday (July 31-Aug. 1).

MATT SCHUBERT’S OUTDOORS: Salmon fishing sluggish at best

Tim Flanagan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:48:24 +0000

Matt Schubert has this story in the Peninsula Daily News:

IF ONLY WE could party like it was 2009.

A year after one of the best saltwater salmon seasons in a decade, the North Olympic Peninsula finds itself mired in mediocrity.

From the coast all the way to Admiralty Inlet, fishing has simply been "OK," if not a bit disappointing, during the first month of the season.

This year’s effort on the coast alone — rivaled only by 2008 during the past five seasons — is enough to illustrate just how exciting 2009 really was.

Just take a look at the harvest data provided by the Pacific Fishery Management Council during the past two years.

Maritime jobs in the Puget Sound are threatened by global trends

Tim Flanagan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:46:14 +0000

Mike Moore has the story in the Tacoma News-Tribune:

Generations of families in the Puget Sound region have enjoyed prosperity related to international maritime trade. But the advantage is rapidly shifting to other regions and could cost us thousands of jobs.

It’s time for our region to get into the game. If shipping routes are realigned, it could be decades before they shift to our favor again.

Some complacency about our status is understandable. Tacoma and Seattle are world-ranked container ports. The economic downturn related to the recession notwithstanding, the maritime trade picture here looks pretty good if one only looks backward. Cargo across West Coast ports has been growing for years and is projected to continue growing.

But the picture is not so rosy if you look forward.

Report names Washington’s three dirtiest beaches

Tim Flanagan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:34:30 +0000

KING 5 News has this story:

SEATTLE – A new report names the dirtiest beaches in Washington state. The Natural Resource Defense Council’s 20th annual beach water quality <http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/sumwas.pdf> report says the dirtiest beaches (with percentage of samples exceeding state standards in 2009) are:

Freeland County Park/Holmes Harbor in Island County (20%)

Hollywood Beach in Clallam County (19%)

Bayview Boat Launch in Skagit County (18%)

But the report says beach closings and advisories due to pollution dropped last year. In 2009 there were 48 days of closed beaches, while in 2008 there were 120 days of closings.

Tug-barge loses power in Strait; vessel in Port Angeles Harbor for inspection

Tim Flanagan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:27:11 +0000

Tom Callis has the story in the Peninsula Daily News:

[The articulated tug-barge Commitment is escorted into Port Angeles Harbor by the tug Jeffery Foss on Wednesday after the Commitment lost power in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. -- Photo by Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News]

PORT ANGELES — A tug pushing a barge full of BP fuel arrived in Port Angeles Harbor for inspection Wednesday evening after temporarily losing power in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The 170-foot articulated tug-barge Commitment lost power shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday about 19 miles northwest of Port Angeles.

The barge contained 8 million gallons of diesel and jet fuel. It was being pushed by the tug component to Portland, Ore., from BP’s Cherry Point refinery, said Curt Hart, state Department of Ecology spokesman.

In such vessels, called ATBs, the tug and barge operate together.

It contained more than 100,000 gallons of fuel.

Coupeville replaces Keystone as state ferry terminal name

Tim Flanagan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:43:43 +0000

Patrick J. Sullivan has the story in the Port Townsend Leader:

[You won't see this scene much longer: the 50-car ferry Steilacoom II departing Keystone terminal. In September, it's going to be the 64-car ferry Chetzemoka departing Coupeville terminal. Photo by Patrick J. Sullivan]

The state has assigned a new name to an old harbor, plus names for two ferries still months away from service.

The Washington State Transportation Commission on July 13 unanimously approved changing the ferry terminal name on Central Whidbey Island from Keystone to Coupeville.

The Port Townsend/Coupeville name becomes official on Washington State Ferries publications and websites with the fall sailing schedule. It’s still the Port Townsend/Keystone route until the schedule change in September.

Business leaders from the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce pushed for the terminal name change from Keystone to Coupeville. Keystone is just the ferry landing next to Fort Casey State Park; Coupeville is the nearest town and visitor destination, about four miles from the landing. Historical research points to Keystone being a promotional name from 1909 in regards to its proximity to marine traffic. For years prior, Port Townsend had billed itself as the Key City of Puget Sound.

Lighthouse Park’s Phase 2 now open

Tim Flanagan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:40:25 +0000

Sara Bruestle has the story in the Mukilteo Beacon:

[Photo by Sara Bruestle: Mayor Joe Marine cuts the ribbon at the grand-opening ceremony of Phase 2 of Lighthouse Park on July 24. Also pictured: John Petroff, Mukilteo Historical Society president; Melanie Field, of the Parks & Arts Commission; councilmember Tony Tinsley; artist James Madison; councilmember Emily Vanderwielen; Randy Lord, City Council president; councilmember Linda Grafer; and John Barker, of Barker Landscape Architects.]

Phase 2 of the Lighthouse Park’s renovation is nearing completion, and to celebrate the grand opening of that section of the park, the City of Mukilteo held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the lighthouse on July 24.

“The celebration is really about a continued vision for Lighthouse Park,” said Mayor Joe Marine, who cut the ribbon at the ceremony. “Just to be able to see it transform into what we knew it could be is really exciting.”

Everett’s Jetty Island is an oasis of sand, sunshine and sweet memories

Tim Flanagan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:36:29 +0000

Mike McQuaide has this story in the Seattle Times:

[MIKE MCQUAIDE / SEATTLE TIMES photo: Alexis Ogden, of Marysville, works a puzzle on sunny Jetty Island.]

It’s a blindingly bright day under skies that couldn’t be more blue and that haven’t hosted anything resembling a cloud in days. And as she sinks deeper and deeper into the sandy mud flats — first to her ankles, then to her shins, then to her knees and above — Amanda Bailey, of Bothell, shares her favorite pastimes from a lifetime of summers spent hanging out here at Jetty Island.

"A long time ago we would make forts and pretend we were survivors on a desert island," says the personable 13-year-old who’s here today on the summeriest of summer days with a passel of friends.

Port Townsend-Seattle passenger ferry grant ‘80-percent’ likely

Tim Flanagan — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:30:24 +0000

Steve Patch has this story in the Port Townsend Leader:

It’s too early to actually start ferryboat shopping, but the Port of Port Townsend cleared a major hurdle last week in its bid to receive the million-dollar backing to do so.

Beating out nearly a hundred others making their pitch for federal transportation money to the office of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, the port was notified last Thursday that the senator will recommend it receive a $1 million appropriation “for the acquisition of a vessel to establish high-speed passenger-only ferry service between Port Townsend and downtown Seattle.”

Congress and the President still have to approve it, reminded port Executive Director Larry Crockett this week, “so it’s hardly a done deal. But we’re hopeful.”

Seattle wants to ban new houseboats

Tim Flanagan — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:15:24 +0000

Vanessa Ho has the story at SeattlePI.com:

[Houseboats are shown on Seattle's Lake Union. Photo by Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com]

In a city of lakes and bays, squabbles about water are inevitable. But as Seattle mulls over a hefty set of new shoreline rules, one of the most iconic waterfront symbols — houseboats — is feeling the squeeze.

City planners have drafted rules that would ban new houseboats, limit development, and demote the preferential water-use status currently enjoyed by floating homes.

That of course comes as worrisome news to Seattle’s eclectic, tight-knit community of 500 or so houseboaters, many of whom see the rules as the latest browbeating from landlubbers.

"We feel like we’ve been clamped down on more and more and more," said Amalia Walton of the Seattle Floating Homes Association.

In Migael’s Wake | Langley

Tim Flanagan — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:44:21 +0000

Migael Scherer has this item at Three Sheets Northwest:

[Langley’s popular—and crowded—little marina is scheduled for expansion. The pilings near shore mark the launching area. The best anchoring is to the right (south) in this photo.]

Langley, northwest across Saratoga Passage from Everett, is a cozy Whidbey Island town that enthusiastically welcomes tourists. The main street is crowded with shops and restaurants, with park benches along the narrow sidewalks and flower boxes blooming at every door. The small marina is a short walk from these attractions, and is operated exclusively for visiting boats.

Ferry riders will be surveyed

Tim Flanagan — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:58:07 +0000

The Seattle Times has this brief item:

The Washington State Transportation Commission will be surveying ferry riders in late July and early August about their travel, fare issues, the reservation system and general satisfaction with the ferry system.<

The Washington State Transportation Commission will be surveying ferry riders in late July and early August about their travel, fare issues, the reservation system and general satisfaction with the ferry system.

The data collected will influence decisions by state leaders and lawmakers, affecting ferry riders.

Seattle cruise industry slows in recession’s wake

Tim Flanagan — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:56:48 +0000

Jason Bacaj has the story in the Seattle Times:

[STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES: Cruise ships docked at Terminal 91. Twelve ships will make 223 calls, a record, at Pier 66 and Terminal 91 during this cruise season.]

The opulent floating city that is the Celebrity Infinity cruise liner dominates the downtown waterfront on Friday mornings.

It’s one of 12 lavishly decorated ships that will make 223 calls — a record for Seattle’s cruise industry — at Pier 66 and Terminal 91 during this cruise season, which stretches from April to September.

The cruise industry should generate $18.9 million in state and local taxes this year, according to estimates from the Port of Seattle.

"Cruising Alaska is big business," said Peter McGraw, spokesman for the Port.

Bald eagle comeback pressures coastal seabirds

Tim Flanagan — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:43:02 +0000

Tom Banse has the story at KUOW:

The comeback of the bald eagle is one of the most celebrated success stories of modern conservation. But along the Pacific Northwest coast, the majestic eagles are marauders. Their increasing numbers are putting other bird populations at risk. For now, biologists are not inclined to intervene. The eagles’ prey must adapt or die.

Creatures surface for academics: Program lets kids get up close with marine creatures

Tim Flanagan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:02:08 +0000

VENICE BUHAIN has this story in the Olympian:

OLYMPIA – Families gathered at the Boston Harbor Marina on Monday afternoon got a chance to meet the slimy and sticky creatures who live under the marina’s docks.

Divers Phil Sconce and Mike Doyle brought crabs, sea cucumbers and sea stars to the surface, as a dozen children and adults touched and watched them and listened to volunteer Roberta Woods discuss the creatures.

Dredging up funding for the Swinomish Channel

Tim Flanagan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:59:30 +0000

Whitney Pipkin has this story in the Skagit Valley Herald:

Businesses along the Swinomish Channel didn’t wonder in the past whether the man-made waterway connecting Skagit and Padilla bays would be dredged every two or three years. It just was.

Scooping piles of sand and silt out of the century-old channel was a regularly funded project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But that funding dried up for smaller channels — those less than 14 feet deep with less than 10 million tons of cargo passing through each year — in the mid-1990s.

Since then, the Port of Skagit and others have had to lobby for federal earmarks every three years to pay for the necessary dredging.

Seattle Boat Show at Shilshole Bay Marina – August 12-15

Tim Flanagan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:47:50 +0000

It’s a letter from NMTA president George Harris:

The sun is out, weather is warm and the summer boating season is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest. And in just a few weeks, we’ll launch the biggest party of the summer, the Seattle Boat Show at Shilshole Bay Marina – August 12-15.

With 150 boats – new, trailerable boats on land, and new and pre-owned boats in the water – the show is sure to offer something for everyone all at great "End of the Season" prices! Plus, we’ll have a tent full of accessory and electronics to outfit your boat!

This year, enjoy the new Wakeboard Alley featuring thrilling tricks and jumps by the region’s top wakeboarders all right in the marina.

Tickets are on sale at www.SeattleBoatShow.com. And when you buy tickets online, you’ll receive a free cup of clam chowder at Ray’s Café on Shilshole, plus a $15 off coupon from West Marine.

Official Sponsor: ACE Recreational Marine Insurance.

Buy a boat at the show and receive a $100 Gift Card to Outdoor Emporium and Sportco, along with a one-year complimentary membership.

I hope to see you at the Seattle Boat Show at Shilshole Bay Marina, August 12-15!

Best regards,

George Harris
NMTA President
georgeh@seattleboatshow.com

P.S. – This summer we’ve partnered with the Seafair festival to giveaway a new Sea Ray 175 Sport through its I LOVE SEAFAIR membership campaign. You could win this boat and more! Details at www.seafair.com. You can see the boat (and us!) in person during the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade this Saturday, August 31!