Blake Island plans, Seattle Paddle Rave and tiny robot boats
Boaters have a lot to say about Blake Island. Plus, port news
5,000
The approximate number of people who have participated in public comment, surveys and other feedback during the Blake Island State Park Master Planning process.
Washington State Parks Planner Alexandra Sullivan told the Washington State Standard this is an unusually high volume for a state parks issue, indicating the island's importance to many people.
What's next? State Parks will release a preferred alternative (down from four alternatives laid out earlier this year) in late August or September. Then another opportunity for the public to comment before a final plan heads to the state parks commission.
Read more from Washington State Standard correspondent Tom Banse
On the horizon: Floating infrastructure created by autonomous boats?
Building on Roboat, a sleek self-driving vessel developed on Amsterdam's canals, a team of MIT researchers created FloatForm, a system of small autonomous boats that assemble into larger structures on the water.
“Our FloatForm projects envisions a future where the waterfront becomes a programmable extension of the city, where autonomous boats can self-organize into bridges, platforms, and other useful structures on demand,” — Daniela Rus, MIT
Bringing together urban design, robotics and marine construction, potential use cases for FloatForm include:
- A temporary platform or bridge after an emergency
- A marketplace on a canal
- A floating festival stage
WSF marks one year with converted hybrid ferry and beginning of new hybrid ferry construction
In July, Washington State Ferries commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Wenatchee's return to service following its conversion from diesel to hybrid-electric.
The past year was not always smooth sailing for "North America's largest hybrid-electric ferry" which was completed behind schedule and over budget before a sporadic return to service.
In a blog post, the agency called the Wenatchee a "vital proof of concept" and said "those challenges are in the past." The next electrification milestones center around the shoreside charging infrastructure.
It's uncertain if the lessons learned from the Wenatchee's conversion will be directly applied to other vessels though, since the state pulled funding for the program.
Cara Kuhlman
State officials visited Florida this week for a steel cutting ceremony at Eastern Shipbuilding Group's Panama City shipyard to kick off construction of three new hybrid-electric ferries.
It's been over a decade since a new ferry was constructed for the Washington fleet. The first boat is expected to be delivered in 2030.
At our ports
The industry vs. housing argument in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood enters a new phase. The Port of Seattle officially intervened in a legal appeal to maintain a ban on housing in the area and protect maritime operations. The next hearing in the appeals process is tentatively scheduled for October. Catch up on "one of the city’s longest and most bitter political controversies."
Four nonpartisan candidates, two for each newly created Port of Bellingham Commission seat, are advancing to the November election. Voters approved the expansion from from three to five port commissioners last year. See the top candidates in the latest primary results for Port District 4 and District 5.
The City of Mulkiteo opened up a two-part process seeking a development team to fulfill its vision of a "vibrant waterfront village." The major waterfront redevelopment, planned in coordination with the Port of Everett, is next to the Ferry Terminal and will be structured as an 80 year lease.
The Port of Olympia approved a contract to remodel a former coffee roastery building as the port’s new headquarters. The port purchased the facility, which is on port-owned property, last year.
Dive into our evolving waterfronts on a free walking tour in Seattle with Future Tides Founder Cara Kuhlman! There are three more chances to get out and about with us this season: Aug. 11, Sept. 1 and Sept. 16
Around the Sound
- Canada/USA Border Crossing Scrutiny Has Increased – Be Prepared from Waggoner Cruising Guide
- Construction begins on new heavy weather Coast Guard surf boats at Rozema Boat Works in Mount Vernon from USCG
- Introducing the Tribal Guide to Maritime Washington from Maritime Washington and the Suquamish and Squaxin Island Tribes
- WA shellfish growers worry for future after Hood Canal closure from The Seattle Times
Gillian Dohrn
- Salmon Bay Paddle to close at the end of summer from MyBallard
- The annual inter-tribal canoe journey brought over 100 canoes to the Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch hosted from late July to Aug. 5 by the Nisqually Tribe in south Puget Sound. Before the celebration ended, Nisqually Tribal Chairman Ken Choke passed away.
Ken was happy to know that all of the Canoe Families had arrived safely
and that protocol had begun and has been progressing as we worked so
hard to plan. — Cheebo Frazier, Nisqually Tribal Council
Waterfront properties for sale
- One acre of land and four acres of tidelands in Port Angeles
- Commercial lot along Guemes Channel in Anacortes
- Callen's Restaurant and property near Coupeville Ferry Dock on Whidbey Island
- South Park Marina in Seattle
- 75 acres of industrial land with deep water access in Grays Harbor
What is the Seattle Paddle Rave?
Seattle Paddle Rave (aka Lake Union Concerts) brings together two popular things: inflatable stand up paddleboards and electronic dance music. It's also free.
It started informally among friends but then went viral and the resulting mass of paddlers converging near Gas Works Park on Lake Union was impossible to miss. This enthusiasm created a new, unexpected navigational hazard for commercial and recreational vessels on the lake.
This summer, Seattle Paddle Rave is back and a little more formal, but still free and fun-loving. Organizers are coordinating with Seattle Harbor Patrol, the Parks department, and have a FAQ.
There are two more concerts coming up on Aug. 22 and Sept. 20.
This isn't the only paddle-up concert in the region either. In Bellingham, the Community Boating Center partners with the Schooner Zodiac to host a weekly Beats on the Bay concert from early August to early September.
