Showing posts with label marine life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marine life. Show all posts

Scene on the Sound: What it means when there's nothing there

Friday, July 20, 2018

Marine app says there's
nothing to see here
By Jan Hansen

I once had the privilege of being onboard one of our Ohio Class submarines, the USS Alaska SSBN-732. We were underway, and I glanced down at the coffee in my cup. The surface was perfectly still. These submarines make no noise. Appropriate ocean sounds are broadcast, so that these vessels won’t be detected by a submarine shaped hole of silence moving through the waters

My kitchen window gives a view of the Shoreline Sea, a very busy section of the marine highway.

I now notice what I don’t see.

When the traffic is cleared, when even the ferries that run between Edmonds and Kingston are held at their docks, I look for a special military vessel coming through. The Marine Traffic app covers the globe. I routinely zoom into our area to identify ships.

Marine Traffic shows a large empty section, not the usual busy corridor, when these special ships are moving.

Emptiness draws my attention to find the unreported vessel, an aircraft carrier, a destroyer, a submarine, etc. This morning it is a submarine. 

But this is the view for Shoreline residents
Photo by Jan Hansen

My mind plays with the idea of integrating random “ghost” vessels into the Google monitoring, a parallel to the generated sounds for our submarines.



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: USS Sampson

Monday, July 16, 2018

USS Sampson

Text and photo by Jan Hansen

Quietly sailing through the Shoreline Sea this morning was an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 102, USS Sampson. She was commissioned in 2007, and is the fourth U.S. Navy ship named to honor Rear Admiral William T. Sampson.

This is a guided-missile destroyer and carries two Sea Hawk helicopters. NavSource states that she is armed with an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, 96 VLS Cells, and 8 Harpoon Missiles. The ship’s motto “Through Courage and Arms” can be delivered swiftly at over 30 knots/hr.

Sampson returned to the Naval Station Everett in early May after completing a seven-month deployment.

She joined the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group on Oct. 3, 2017. The destroyer provided seaborne protection to the strike group, escorted high-vale ships, and served nearby communities during port calls in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.

While deployed, Sampson participated in exercises with the Egyptian and Republic of Singapore’s Navies at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference. She strengthen partnerships with the participation nations during combined exercises.

Sailors also served as volunteers in communities during port calls in Bahrain, Saipan, Philippines and Singapore by visiting local schools and social welfare centers. Her deployment is an example of our Navy’s routine presence in waters around the world, displaying commitment to stability, regional cooperation, and economic prosperity for all nations.

On May 10th Vigor Marin LLC was awarded a $42.2 million contract to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements for the USS Sampson’s Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Work is expected to be completed by April 2019.

In June she was moored at the Ammunition Pier, Naval Magazine Indian Island in Port Hadlock, Wash for a three-day ammo off load.

Maybe we will see her again sailing north next April.



Read more...

Low tide beach walks at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Low tide at RB Saltwater Park
Photo by s cho

This weekend was one of particularly low tides. Naturalists from the Seattle Aquarium were at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park to answer questions and point out things that people might otherwise miss.

Judging by the photos, many families took advantage of the low tide, and the great joy for the toddlers was digging in the sand and playing with the seaweed.

Low tide brought out a lot of families
Photo by s cho

The next Low Tide Beach Walks will be:

Saturday, July 28 11am-1pm

Thursday, August 9 9am-11am
Friday, August 10 9am-12pm
Saturday, August 11 10am-1pm
Sunday, August 12 10:30am-1:30pm


The Walks are sponsored by the City of Shoreline.



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Olympic Class Ferry Suquamish

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Photo by Jan Hansen


Washington State Department of Transportation Olympic Class Ferry project timeline began in 2007 with a WSF awards design-built contact. The last event on this timeline is “Fall 2018-WSF to take delivery of Suquamish.”

There are four vessels in this new class, each with a 144 car capacity. The last of these four just sailed by for many of us to see for the first time. Welcome to the WSF Suquamish.

The Suquamish was christened with a traditional bottle breaking ceremony by Gov. Inslee in January with the chairman of the Suquamish tribe in attendance and the Chief Kitsap Academy Singers performing a traditional Suquamish song.

This new ferry was scheduled for mid-2018 sea trials and to start carrying passengers beginning in the fall. She will operate on the Mukilteo/Clinton route during the summer season and serve as a maintenance relief vessel in the winter, filing in when other vessels are out of service.

Source of information WSDOT.gov



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: USNS Matthew C. Perry

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

USNS Matthew Perry
Photo by Jan Hansen

Text and photo by Jan Hansen

This morning a vessel sailed through the Shoreline Sea on her way to Japan. Too large to ignore is the massive replenishment ship, USNS Matthew C. Perry (T-AKE 9), Military Sealift Command. The name “Perry” and Japan have quite a history.

The Navy website states that USNS MATTHEW PERRY is the ninth LEWIS AND CLARK - class Dry Cargo / Ammunition Ship, and the first ship in the Navy to honor Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858), who led a squadron of ships to Japan in 1853 with the aim of opening that nation to trade.

He served during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and was sent to suppress piracy and the slave trade in the West Indies.

Wikipedia says that President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Perry to force the opening of Japanese ports to American trade, using gunboat diplomacy, if necessary. In 1853 Perry did push his ships into Nagasaki and attempted to intimidate the Japanese. It was early July when he fired blank shots from his 73 cannons. He claimed this was in celebration of American Independence Day, but powerful, destructive shells were aboard if the Japanese chose to fight.

World trade contained threats even then.

The USNS MATTHEW PERRY was delivered in San Diego in early 2010. The next year she aided Japan by participating in disaster relief after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. During 21 days of operations, the MATTHEW C.PERRY completed 17 separate replenishment events, delivering more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel and transporting relief supplies.



Read more...

Boat fire in Lake Washington near Kenmore Sunday

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Fire boats from three departments respond
Photo courtesy KCSO


The King County Sheriff's Office Marine Rescue Unit, Seattle PD Harbor Patrol, and Mercer Island Police boats all responded to a boat fire in the waters off Kenmore, near St. Edwards Park on Sunday, July 8, 2018.

Photo courtesy KCSO

By the time the fire boats arrived the boat was engulfed in flames.

Reportedly, the two people on board jumped off the boat and were not harmed. They were picked up by a private vessel.

The view from Lake Forest Park
Photo courtesy KCSO


The burning vessel sent a plume of black smoke high into the sky. It burned completely and then sank.

Checking for environmental damage
Photo courtesy KCSO

The KCSO marine unit went out the next day and after assessing with the state Department of Ecology, determined there was no immediate environmental threat.


Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Hopeful anglers

Monday, July 9, 2018

A sea full of hopeful anglers
Photo by Jan Hansen

By Jan Hansen

Looking across the Shoreline Sea Sunday morning, the mosquito fleet of fishing boats hold hopeful anglers waiting for bites. Shoreline is in Washington State Marine Area 10.

The following information is from the Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife. This is an even year; the “humpies” are fewer. They are technically called Pink Salmon and not the preferred salmon of the locals.

The fishing today is directed toward the Coho and Chinook. As when fishing off of Possession Head, most of the boats are fishing the contours of the bar, changing locations with the tide. It would appear that the best fishing is from a white boat.

Marine Area 10
Seattle-Bremerton Area

Marine Area 10 (Seattle and Bremerton area) is located within Apple Cove Point to Edwards Point and north of Vashon Island.

This area provides good bottomfish and resident and migratory salmon fishing opportunities from both shore and a boat. For those who live near Seattle, this area provides a very unique opportunity to catch fish out your backdoor.

Small boats have plenty of access in many protected areas, while shore anglers have numerous piers to fish from.

Additional pink salmon can be kept during odd years from July through September which provides a perfect scenario to take kids fishing; however during 2017 there will be no bonus limit due to the lower forecast but you can keep pink salmon as part of your daily limit.

Winter resident salmon fishing is a unique opportunity to catch salmon in the 'off-season' and typically runs from November through February. Fishing for squid in the winter is a popular activity at many of the piers (particularly at night).

Jefferson Head
Fish parallel to the shoreline in 90 to 140 feet of water by trolling or mooching for salmon, including pink salmon closer to the surface. Flatfish can also be caught here along the shelves.

Species
Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, Flatfish, Pink salmon



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Icebreaker on the Shoreline Sea

Saturday, July 7, 2018

USCG Healy
Photo by Jan Hansen

Semper Paratus. Here is the icebreaker U S Coast Guard Healy sailing through the Shoreline Sea.

This is our Northwest; icebreakers, commercial traffic and hopeful recreational fisherman all enjoying a beautiful sunny morning.

--Jan Hansen



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Military tug

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Military tug
Photo by Jan Hansen

Navy tugs are designed to provide ship assist, barge and general towing, and escort services.



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: You know you're from the Northwest when...

Wednesday, July 4, 2018



You know you're from the Northwest when "factory trawler" is part of your vocabulary.

This one is the Northern Eagle on her way to Vancouver, Canada.

What a beautiful day to sail through Shoreline.

--Jan Hansen



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Stennis and company

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

USS John C. Stennis
Photo by Jan Hansen

USS John C. Stennis with naval and civilian escorts
Photo by Jan Hansen


Jan Hansen says "Usually the USS John C Stennis travels though our waters unspecified and alone, except for naval escorts.

"She went by just before 5pm Monday with her team. When I looked out a bit later, she had civilian company."

From Wikipedia:

USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995. Her home port is Bremerton, Washington.



Read more...

Low tide beach walks at RB Saltwater Park - summer schedule

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Darcie Larson, beach naturalist
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Beach naturalists are local citizens who care about Puget Sound beaches and want to help protect them. More than 100 have volunteered via the Seattle Aquarium to help people learn about and enjoy area shorelines.

Beach naturalists know their beaches: they can help you enjoy the habitat without harming it; tell you what sea stars eat; explain why barnacles stand on their heads; describe how moon snails lay their eggs; and so much more.

"The enthusiasm and excitement of our beach naturalists transfers directly to the public—it's a wonderful, infectious thing!" beams Janice Mathisen, community outreach coordinator at the Seattle Aquarium. 
"To be able to meet a family and educate them on what a treasure we have here in Puget Sound is amazing."


Date and Time

*Saturday, June 16  11am-3pm
Sunday, June 17  12pm-3:30pm

Low tide at RB Saltwater Park

Friday, June 29  11am-1:30pm
Saturday, June 30  11:45am-1:45pm

This was one of the lowest tides of the year
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Wednesday, July 11  9am-11:30am
*Thursday, July 12  9am-12:30pm
*Friday, July 13  9:30am-1:30pm
*Saturday, July 14  10:30am-2:30pm
Sunday, July 15  11:15am-2:45pm

Emily Maranon and her son, Caleb
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Saturday, July 28  11am-1pm

Thursday, August 9  9am-11am
Friday, August 10  9am-12pm
Saturday, August 11  10am-1pm
Sunday, August 12  10:30am-1:30pm

*Lowest summer tides


The Walks are sponsored by the City of Shoreline.



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: 20 story cruise ship on the Shoreline Sea

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Ships that pass in the night
The 20 story Norwegian Bliss sails the Shoreline Sea
Photo by Jan Hansen

Just after 10pm Wednesday a twenty story cruise ship sailed through the Shoreline Sea following her christening in Seattle. The Norwegian Bliss is Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship and weighs in at 168,028 gross tons. She was built by Meyer Werft in Germany in just 18 months. Delivered on April 19, she is the largest ship to have gone through the Panama Canal. 

This is a report from Yahoo finance:

SEATTLE, May 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a month-long show-stopping tour around the United States including previews in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, Norwegian Cruise Line's highly-anticipated ship, Norwegian Bliss, was officially christened today in her summer home of Seattle. 
Following a preview sailing from May 30 – June 2, Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the most successful class in the line's history, will commence her inaugural summer season with cruises to Alaska including calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Victoria, British Colombia beginningJune 2. She will join Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl as the youngest fleet ever to cruise to Alaska. 
Norwegian Bliss was welcomed to her summer home with a sky-high water-canon salute by the Seattle Fire Department, as she cruised into Port of Seattle. The recently renovated and expanded Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, a public-private investment between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and the Port of Seattle, received the 168,000-gross-ton ship with a capacity of 4,004, double occupancy, early this morning. The enhanced terminal features three times the square footage, increasing the usage capacity by 300 percent, a dedicated lounge for suite guests and more guest-facing elements providing a seamless, comfortable and stylish ship-to-shore experience.

--Jan Hansen



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: icebreaker USCG Healy

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

USCG Healy - icebreaker
Photo by Jan Hansen


Jan Hansen says "What a treat to see an icebreaker that has received several commendations for exceptional service. Today the USCG Healy sailed by as she headed out; her ETA back is 21 November."

The following information is taken from Wikipedia.
USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is the United States' largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker as well as the US Coast Guard's largest vessel. In addition, it is the US Military's only surface vessel capable of operating in the Arctic. She is classified as a medium icebreaker by the U.S. Coast Guard. She is homeported in Seattle, Washington and was commissioned in 1999. On September 5, 2015, USCGC Healy became the first unaccompanied United States surface vessel to reach the North Pole.
USCGC Healy is an optimally manned vessel, meaning she has the minimum number of personnel staffed in order to safely navigate. Due to the vast array of missions conducted by Healy, it is vital that crewmembers are fully qualified on a number of duties. Healy operates two A-Frames, one on the aft working deck and one on the starboard side. There are two articulated cranes on the aft working deck, with the starboard side rated to 15 short tons (14 t) and the port side rated to 5 short tons (4.5 t). The aft working deck provides ample space to conduct science and research operations. 
Healy has a forecastle crane with a load capacity of 3 short tons (2.7 t), and two 04 level cranes with load capacities of 15 tons each. Healy has a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) that uses its Bow Thruster system, which aids in navigation and station keeping during science operations. Its flight deck is capable of landing both of the Coast Guard's helicopter airframes, and attached is a hangar that can house 2 HH-65 helicopters. Healy can accommodate 8 ISO vans on the ship, which are used as science labs and workstations. 
Healy has three small boats on board. One is the 38 ft (12 m) Arctic Survey Boat (ASB), which is on the starboard side. Healy has two 26 ft (7.9 m) Cutter Boat Large (CBL) Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB), one on each side.
October 29, 2015: USCGC Healy received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation award for exceptionally meritorious service from 24 June to 29 October 2015 during their Arctic West Summer 2015 deployment. Healy traveled over 16,000 miles, took over 25,000 water and ice samples from 72 science stations, and became the first unaccompanied U.S. surface vessel to reach the North Pole. 
She also engaged with the crew of the German icebreaker Polarstern while at the North Pole in support of the international scientific mission Geotraces. Finally, Healy became the first vessel to broadcast a live feed from ice-bound Arctic waters, streaming video of a search and rescue exercise to shore-based coordinators.


Read more...

Scene on the Sound: when officially nothing is there...

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Look who's not there!
Photo by Jan Hansen

When the Marine application shows no activity on the water at all, there usually is some.

Monday afternoon this submarine was enjoying some Shoreline sunshine.

The USS Bremerton arrived just over a week ago to make her namesake city her final port. Possibly, this is she out on maneuvers.

Can any of our seamen identify this vessel for us?

--Jan Hansen



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Norwegian Pearl sails for the Inside Passage

Monday, May 7, 2018

North to Alaska - the Norwegian Pearl heads
for the Inside Passage
Photo by Jan Hansen

Yes, the Alaska season has begun. The Norwegian Pearl is now on her way to Alaska. The boating season and the Seattle cruising season are underway.

One week cruises for the Inside Passage let ships leave in the late afternoon, visit three ports, and return early in the morning the next week.

Baggage is left outside the cabins the night before, ready to be offloaded when the ship is docked. It's a busy day for the crew to ready the ship for the next departure. Each hour in port is a huge expense. It is an efficient day in Seattle and the staggered days of the ship schedules continue in Alaska for the benefit of both ships and passengers.

--Jan Hansen


Read more...

Scene on the Sound: first cruise ship of 2018 season departs Seattle for Juneau

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Ruby Princess passes Richmond Beach heading for Juneau
copyright, Marc Weinberg.jpg


Text and photo by Marc Weinberg

Saturday, May 5, 2018 .... On a hazy late afternoon she was spotted passing Richmond Beach on a beautiful opening day to 'boating season'.

Ruby Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. She was built in 2008 by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy at a cost of $400 million.

She is a sister ship to Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. She accommodates 3600 passengers plus 1,200 crew. She is 951 feet in length and cruises at 20kn with a top speed of 23kn.


Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Boating Rules of the Road

Saturday, May 5, 2018


Photo and text by Jan Hansen

There are “rules of the road” for boats, and heavy traffic makes for interesting maneuvers. There have been several captains in my family; maybe that is why I have a special interest in watching our ferries determine their courses. Saturday the WSF’s had the challenge of making their runs while yielding to dozens of sailboats, the “Stand on Vessels.”

Rule number 1 is to always avoid a collision.

A watch (lookout) is required anytime that a vessel is under way.

The “Give Way” vessel is the vessel that must yield (the term used on roads when you drive a car) to the other. “Stand On” is the vessel that has the right of way.

The “Stand on Vessel” (the one that has the Right of Way) is required to hold course until such time that it is determined the “Give Way Vessel” (the one that is yielding the right of way) is not going to Give Way. The Stand on Vessel is then required to avoid a collision. All maneuvers must be made early and obvious to avoid any chance of misinterpretation.

The Rules for vessels are arranged in a Hierarchy with the highest being the Stand on Vessel:
  1. Commercial Fishing (with nets or trawls in water)
  2. Sailing
  3. Power


Read more...

Boater safety and awareness seminar May 27

Photo by Jan Hansen

The King County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, in partnership with the LFP Police Department, and the LFP Civic Club, will be putting on a two-hour boater safety and awareness seminar on Sunday, May 27, 2018, from Noon-2pm at the Lake Forest Park Civic Club, 17301 Beach Dr NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Parking is available across Bothell Way at the LFP City Hall Complex.

This is a great opportunity to listen to marine patrol officers about their job, legal issues on the water, and safety initiatives important to all boaters.

Topics include:

- Safe boating practices
- Pulling water skiers
- Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
- Boating near shoreline
- Safe launching

Boating season is upon us, I look forward to a safe and sane year!

Steve Sutton
LFP Chief of Police



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Just another ferry

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

WSF Wenatchee
Photo by Jan Hansen

This morning the sun pointed out a visitor passing through the Shoreline Sea. WSF Wenatchee usually sails between Bainbridge Island and Seattle. Today she went north to the Meadowdale waters of Edmonds, did some laps, then turned back south making another Shoreline pass by on her way back to Bainbridge.

--Jan Hansen



Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP