West Seattle, Washington
16 Wednesday
No photo but if you look across Elliott Bay, that’s Grand Princess at Pier 66 downtown. When it leaves tonight – scheduled for 10 pm – that’s the end of this year’s Seattle cruise season, after more than six months. Grand Princess is in the middle of a weeklong round trip out of San Francisco; next stop, Vancouver, B.C.
1:50 PM: Thanks to Karen for sending the photo! That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), headed northbound in Puget Sound again, just two and a half weeks after its latest return.
1:57 PM: A closer look just came in from Gary Jones (thank you!) at Alki Point:
The Nimitz’s recent voyages have all been training for its next deployment.
Thanks to Jim Borrow for the photo. Purse seiners often make a brief appearance off West Seattle this time of year, fishing for chum salmon. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife website says this area is open for purse-seine fishing until 6 tonight.
Thanks to @macjustice for tweeting the photo – that’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, headed home to Bremerton. It’s been gone for almost three weeks, including a stop in San Diego, where a 21-year-old sailor was killed in a fall onboard. MarineTraffic.com shows the Nimitz currently rounding the south end of Bainbridge Island, heading into Rich Passage.
(Added: WSF photo)
In addition to everything else we’ve been covering this past hour-plus, we’re getting questions about an alarming-looking situation involving a Washington State Ferry and other boats. Here’s the explanation from WSF:
Federal, state and local agencies are scheduled to hold an active-shooter drill on board the M/V Kittitas without passengers while underway in Puget Sound Monday afternoon. Community members or waterway users may see increased maritime activity around the ferry during afternoon hours.
(Photo by Jim Borrow)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos and tips! Passing Alki this afternoon, that’s the famous tall ship Lady Washington, on its way to Port Orchard, where it’s scheduled to be docked through Tuesday (August 20) for both tours and sailing trips.
The photo and report are from David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network had a surprise visitor this week.
“Pearl,” an adult female harbor seal, who gave birth and nursed her pup for weeks along the West Seattle shoreline in 2018, returned with a new pup this season. She was identified by comparing new photos of the spots on her fur with similar photos taken last year. The 2018 pup was nicknamed “Jam”, as they were first spotted the day after the Alki Sub Pop concert. This year’s pup has been named “Minnie Pearl” in keeping with the entertainment theme – although you probably would have to be of a certain age to get the connection.
It is very unusual to have the opportunity to observe a nursing mom and pup in busy West Seattle. Newborn harbor seals rely exclusively on their mother’s milk, so it’s extremely important that Pearl not be frightened away and possibly abandon her pup. Pups remain with their mothers for only 4 – 6 weeks before having to survive on their own. Seals this young don’t have the strength to swim for extended periods or an adequate blubber thickness for warmth. They need every opportunity to haul out of the water to rest and warm up. Their first year mortality rate is approximately 50%.
All marine mammals are protected by federal law. Any observed violations are referred to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for investigation. It’s now “pupping season” in south Puget Sound. If you come across Pearl & Minnie Pearl, or any other seal on the beach or on a nearby offshore rock, we’re asking you to give them plenty of space, keep others and pets away, and call the Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-7325. To learn more about harbor seals and other local marine mammals, please visit our website at www.sealsitters.org
.
The air’s a bit hazy/smoky this afternoon but “Diver Laura” James reports from her paddleboard off Alki that the water’s crystal clear. Above, the eelgrass that so many species thrive on; below, a less-pleasant sight:
Without going in for a closer look, Laura surmises that’s a canopy that might have blown into the water from a beach event. (Anyone missing one?)
11:46 AM: Just back from the Museum of Flight, which hosted the annual media briefing about Seafair’s biggest week; we went to get the latest on points of special interest in our area, including the Parade of Ships, which is happening today. Rear Admiral Scott Gray, the U.S. Navy’s regional commander, announced that two Navy ships are participating – the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111). Also part of the “Seafair fleet” this year are the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Active and two Royal Canadian Navy ships, HMCS Nanaimo and HMCS Edmonton. The ships should be in view by 1 pm, if not sooner. Later this week, tours begin; from the Navy announcement:
The Seattle visit offers the public an opportunity to take a tour of the ships and meet Sailors and Coast Guard members as they showcase the ships’ capabilities. It also gives the public a chance to gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the national defense of the United States and freedom of the seas.
The U.S. Navy ships on Pier 66 will be open for public visitation Tuesday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and then Friday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Times for tours may vary from day-to-day.
When arriving for public tours, all visitors will be required to present a photo ID and pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. All visitors are subject to search prior to entering the security zone. Visitors are encouraged to bring as few items as possible when arriving for their tour, and are recommended to wear flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes.
Prohibited items on board include the following:
– Weapons, including knives, firearms and club weapons
– Defensive chemicals or sprays, including mace and pepper spray; spray cans of any type
– Fireworks, flammable liquids or other explosives
– Drugs and drug-related paraphernalia illegal by federal standards (including cannabis)
– Large bags, including backpacks, diaper bags and large camera bags (small camera bags and small handbags may be permitted, but will be subject to search)
– Strollers
– Do not leave personal items unattended.
– While general photography of this event is allowed, the use of drones is strictly prohibited within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of the U.S. Navy ships.
(More tour info is in the Fleet Week guide.) Today’s briefing also included information about the Blue Angels – parked in a different area this year – and hydroplane races. Separate story to come!
12:41 PM: The Parade of Ships has come into view off Alki Point, turning into Elliott Bay. A Seattle Fire Department fireboat is spraying mid-bay to greet them.
(Photo by Lynn Hall)
1:40 PM: Adding a few photos, and more to come.
(Photo by John Murphy)
2:34 PM: More photos, first, the USS Spruance:
(WSB photos from here down unless otherwise credited)
USS Mobile Bay:
USCGC Active:
HMCS Edmonton:
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
Fireboat Leschi:
USCG helicopters passed by too, headed for a downtown demonstration:
ADDED: One more view of fireboat Leschi, by Monica Zaborac:
(Added Wednesday afternoon – photo courtesy Greg)
Thanks to Kevin for the tip. That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), inbound, in view off Alki. It’s returning to Bremerton after a month at sea.
10:21 AM: Two humpback whales are in the area, reports Kersti Muul. “East of shipping channel, off Alki,” but no direction determined yet. Let us know if you see them! (Not sure you’d know what humpbacks look like? Here’s their page in The Whale Trail‘s species guide.)
1:58 PM: And now orcas are in our area too, Kersti reports – a group of transients southbound off Bainbridge.
Thanks to Jamie Kinney for the aerial views of an algae bloom off Fauntleroy.
The state Ecology Department tracks these blooms and wants to hear about it if you spot one. Ecology also produces a periodic report on serial and surface surveys of the Sound (here’s the latest report).
Thanks to David Hutchinson (above) and Jim Borrow (below) for sending photos of the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), a US Navy destroyer commissioned last year.
The ship is homeported in Everett.
Thanks to Tom Stoner for that photo of a northbound submarine passing West Seattle this morning. A texter says it’s an Ohio-class submarine.
Thanks to Garrett Brown for the photo of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), headed outbound earlier this morning. Less than a month ago, it left Bremerton for several days of training. MarineTraffic.com shows it is currently still northbound, at the east end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the alert – she relays word that Washington State Ferries spotted orcas off the north end of Vashon, northbound, as of the top of the hour. Transients, not residents. As always – if you see them, please let us know!
Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo of F/V Chasina off Alki Point. As per the signage, it’s doing research for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. What kind of research? The U.S. Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners reveals what it’s been up to lately:
22 April through 31 May 2019, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Marine Fish Science (MFS) Unit and the Toxics-focused Biological Observation System (TBiOS) Team will conduct a joint bottom-trawl survey to assess marine fish living in the waters of Puget Sound, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia, San Juan Archipelago, Hood Canal, Central Sound, and South Sound regions. These operations are scheduled from 22 Apr 2019 to 31 May 20189. The vessel chartered by WDFW for the survey is the F/V Chasina, a 57-foot seiner/trawler (call sign WYQ-6987), which will carry WDFW RESEARCH placards posted on both sides of the upper deck.
Here’s more about the bottomfish they’re studying; here’s more about the TBiOS program.
The photo and report are from Eilene Hutchinson:
Around 7:40 this evening, we were just south of Salty’s when we were startled by a loud sound and looked up to see a whale surfacing close to shore. We believe this was a gray whale.
It moved off to the north along the Harbor Ave shoreline. We drove to Duwamish Head, where along with others, we watched it surface a number of times before the whale headed southwest toward Alki Point about 8:00 PM.
Thanks to Byron and Marty for the tips and photos. We’ve confirmed with Washington State Ferries what citywide media first reported: A helicopter search in Elliott Bay followed a ferry apparently striking a whale. A WSF spokesperson tells us it happened just a few minutes after the M/V Wenatchee’s departure from downtown, bound for Bainbridge Island. Passengers saw what they believed was a gray whale surface just a few feet from the bow – too close for the ferry to avoid hitting it. The spokesperson says as far as she knows, no one felt the collision – the witnesses got word to the crew. The ferry continued on to Bainbridge Island; the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the whale, which wasn’t seen again:
(The ferry in this photo is NOT the Wenatchee)
The WSF spokesperson says the USCG thinks it might have spotted something near Pier 66 but darkness has complicated the search. No whales – gray or otherwise – had been reported in the area earlier, so that’s made this a bit of a mystery. WSF has, meantime, also notified NOAA.
12:38 PM: Four days after heading out, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is inbound again, just about to pass West Seattle on its trip back to Bremerton. Thanks to Benjamin for the tip!
1:14 PM: Photo added (thank you, Jim Borrow). The Nimitz is entering Rich Passage. (added) Another view – thanks to David Hutchinson:
According to the Kitsap Sun, the Nimitz was out on a training mission after maintenance.
(Video by Karen Therese, as orcas passed Lincoln Park)
8:45 AM: Northbound orcas off Constellation Park, reports Kersti Muul.
10:40 AM: Thanks for the updates and photos in comments!
10:02 AM: Thanks for the photo and tips! That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), northbound in Puget Sound. It’s been at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton for maintenance for the past year-plus. It’s homeported at Naval Base Kitsap. (Added: The Kitsap Sun says it’s out for training.)
12:44 PM: Thanks to everyone who has since sent photos of the submarine that headed out shortly after the Nimitz; the photo above is by Jim Borrow. While we’ve had occasional submarine sightings over the years, they’ve been more frequent lately.
(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:35 PM: Thanks for the tips! We’ve gotten several about northbound orcas passing west-facing West Seattle. Most recently, Kersti Muul – who says it’s the T65a transients – reports they’re passing Fauntleroy. Let us know if you see them!
(Added: Photo by Eilene Hutchinson)
ADDED 9:23 PM: Thanks for the photos! And also thanks to the commenters for the updates as they passed our shores.
| 3 COMMENTS