Waggoner Cruising Guide

08/14/2026

KTOO News Report

An Alaskan family went from sleeping at anchor to swimming for shore after a humpback whale slammed into their sailboat in Glacier Bay. Tania Lewis, her husband, and their 23-year-old son were aboard when they heard "a giant thud" about 11:30pm, and the 1960s-era boat began sinking fast. The three were able to make it about 130 yards to shore in the dark, where they made a fire until rescuers arrived the next morning.

Lewis says the whale was likely chasing fish near the keel. The boat is being repaired, and biologists say the whale was likely not seriously injured.

08/11/2026

Port of Poulsbo News

The City of Poulsbo is partnering with Poulsbo Rotary Club and Peninsula School District’s Performance Drone Team to design and feature a dynamic aerial drone show on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at approximately 9:00 pm over Liberty Bay.

The show will be held a short distance away from Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, with 200 drones launching from the Waterfront Boardwalk.

The City drone show will follow the grand finale of the City of Poulsbo Park & Recreation’s beloved Summer Nights at the Bay free community concert series, featuring a much-anticipated performance by the renowned Kalimba –The Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire from 6:00-8:00 pm.

NOTICE: For all boaters, the City of Poulsbo Drone Show will be closed to boating, anchoring, and all watercraft for all areas located north of the Port of Poulsbo Marina Guest Moorage docks. The Port of Poulsbo Seaplane Base, FAA will also be closed to air traffic for the evening.

Note the waterfront boardwalk north of the Sons of Norway will also be closed to pedestrian traffic. Please see the Restricted Area Map.

08/10/2026

New Marine Park Ranger at Princess Louisa

The Princess Louisa International Foundation has announced that Michelle Burns is the new Ranger for Princess Louisa Marine Park. Michelle has always enjoyed introducing people to amazing places and has worked as a boat operator for several tour boat companies on the Sunshine Coast. She loves seeing that sense of awe and inspiration on people's faces and sharing stories about the BC coast.

08/07/2026

The whale museum at Telegraph Cove that burned down a couple of years ago has been rebuilt; the exterior has been completed and the interior is nearing completion. Visitors can enjoy a temporary showing of skeletons through the end of September 2026, which include pieces belonging to the Centre and a traveling exhibit from the Royal BC Museum - open daily from 9am to 5:30pm.

The new Whale Interpretive Centre at Telegraph Cove will fully reopen in spring, 2027.

07/30/2026

COAST GUARD NEWS RELEASE

The U.S. Coast Guard will enforce navigation regulations on Lake Washington from July 30-Aug. 2 to protect participants, spectators, and vessels during the Seattle Seafair Weekend Festival.

07/16/2026

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to permanently move to Daylight Saving Time. A handful of Canadian Provinces have already made this move, while others still change the clocks twice a year. The Bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in the U.S. now moves to the Senate for their vote.

Waggoner is keeping watch as any decisions will affect the production of tide and current guide predictions for boaters.

07/16/2026

REPORT FROM PRINCESS LOUISA

The Princess Louisa International Society and BC Parks have announced that as of July 15 the contractor for the dock repairs has removed the navigation hazard (anchor lines) on the east side of the dock. The area is now reported to be clear and safe to transit.

07/14/2026

CONSERVE WATER NOTICE IN BC

The provincial government is asking people and businesses in B.C. to conserve water over the coming weeks as forecasts suggest much of the province will experience elevated drought conditions that may increase water-scarcity risks. People are encouraged to reduce water use wherever possible to help protect local watersheds and reduce the risk of water scarcity. Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have improved stream-flow conditions in some parts of the province; however, warm and dry conditions are expected to continue.

Key regions being monitored include:
• the southern coast and southern Interior, where some watersheds remain under significant pressure and drought conditions persist, increasing water scarcity risk
• parts of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the southern Interior, where record-low stream flows are being recorded

Temporary protection orders may be issued as a last resort if voluntary conservation measures are insufficient to restore stream flows and protect vulnerable fish populations, wildlife, and watersheds.

For water-saving tips and to learn more about how to prepare for drought and water scarcity, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/drought

For the BC Drought Information Portal and to sign up for the new Drought and Water Scarcity Bulletin, visit https://droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/

B.C. is taking strong, early action to keep people and communities safe through drought now, and in the years to come.

07/13/2026

U.S. Coast Guard News Release, July 2026

The U.S. Coast Guard and Rozema Boat Works have announced the first special purpose craft for extreme heavy weather, the SPC HWXII. The Coast Guard plans to acquire up to six of these vessels to replace vessels from the 1950s and 1960s. The SPC HWXII measures 64 feet in length with design features for self-righting and can operate in 35-foot seas, 25-foot surf and winds up to 60 knots. Powered by twin 1,200 horsepower diesel engines, it will reach speeds of 20 knots, tow up to 300 tons, and operate up to 150 miles off shore. These vessels will help save lives of those in communities that depend on the sea.

During a ceremony in Mt. Vernon, Washington, Larsen and Chief Warrant Officer Beth Slade, commanding officer of the National Motor Lifeboat School, welded their initials into the keel, signifying the keel is "well and truly laid."

07/01/2026

BOATER ADVISORY - Princess Louisa International Society - Caution when maneuvering on the East Side of Chatterbox Falls Dock:

Following recent capital improvements, two unmarked poly-steel anchor lines halfway along the shore side extend from the dock to the shoreline.

Depending on the tide, these lines may be approximately 2-3 feet below the water surface at high tide, and at or near the surface during lower tides.

BC Parks has posted Warning Signage. The lines are currently unmarked and present a hazard. The Society has recommended that BC Parks add floating markers and issue a social media advisory until the hazard has been eliminated.