Waggoner Cruising Guide

11/26/2025

FIRST INVASIVE GREEN CRABS FOUND IN SKAGIT BAY:

Researchers confirmed the presence of the invasive European Green Crab in the northern Whidbey Basin. A volunteer first spotted the crab at Similk Beach on the Swinomish Tribal Reservation, which triggered concerns about spreading to Puget Sound. An urgent trapping effort was begun. Crews captured 12 crabs at three sites, and their size suggests the crabs have been there for at least two years. There has also been a recent find of these crabs at Mission Beach in Possession Sound by the Tulalip Tribes. Continued monitoring and community involvement are critical to managing the spread.

11/25/2025

COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR MISSING MARINER NEAR COLUMBIA RIVER

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday for a person reported missing after a vessel was found partially submerged near the Columbia River Bar.

At about 5:20 a.m. Nov. 23, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a 911 relay reporting a disabled vessel with one person aboard being pulled toward the Columbia River Bar. Station Cape Disappointment 47-foot motor lifeboat boat crews launched in response and located a debris field and a partially submerged 16-foot power vessel in the vicinity of the report.

Sector Columbia River reclassified the case as a possible person in the water and launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria.

Investigating crews located an aground sailboat associated with the missing individual and righted the previously discovered capsized skiff believed to have been used to ferry items from the grounded vessel to shore. Neither discovery produced information relating to the possible location of the victim.

After completing multiple searches with no sightings and receiving no responses to urgent marine information broadcasts, the search was suspended at 1:57 p.m. Nov. 23. “The decision to suspend a search is never made lightly,” said Lt. William Trumper, command duty officer for the Coast Guard’s Northwest District Command Center. “We extend our thoughts to the individual’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Crews searched over 76 square nautical miles. On scene weather included 11-19 mph winds, seas of less than one foot and a water temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Coast Guard strongly encourages all mariners to wear their life jacket and carry a VHF radio.

11/19/2025

NEWS RELEASE
Temporary Lodging Returns to Fort Worden Campus

PORT TOWNSEND — Washington State Parks will offer limited lodging accommodations at Fort Worden Historical State Park for select weeks through the end of the year, 2025.

This pilot program is a key step in bringing back some of the services the public enjoyed as part of the historic upper campus of the park.

Lodging will be available for three weeks.
• Thanksgiving: Nov. 21-30
• Christmas: Dec. 19-28
• New Year’s: Dec. 28-Jan. 4
Guests will be able to rent several historic campus buildings for overnight stays, all of which are equipped with full kitchens capable of cooking holiday meals.
The standard seven-day reservation cut-off window is temporarily waived for the week of Thanksgiving. Reservations can be made up to three days before arrival.

State Parks will oversee the management of lodging services, including facility operations, guest services, maintenance, safety and security.

Following the holiday pilot, State Parks will evaluate successes, challenges, and areas for potential improvement that will help inform future planning.

Lodging reservations can be made online or by calling our reservations call center at (888) 226-7688.

Background
In 2013, State Parks issued a 50-year lease to the Fort Worden Public Development Authority to manage and operate the 90-acre upper campus of the park. In 2022, under a concession agreement with the PDA, Fort Worden Hospitality was established to provide hospitality services for the upper campus, which includes vacation and event rentals as well as food and beverage services at the park.

However, following some financial challenges in recent years, Fort Worden Hospitality ceased operations in January 2025, and, in February 2025, State Parks officially terminated the PDA’s lease and reestablished its operation of the upper campus of the park.

Since this transition, the campgrounds in the park have remained open, but roofed accommodations have been closed.

11/18/2025

Be sure to check out the new ATA Newsletter, the first official newsletter published by Jennifer Dalton, crew member and co-captain of s/v One Ocean on their Around-the-Americas Expedition. Read about their latest stops, video presentations, and research for science. Go here to read their newly published newsletter:

Check out this Email Newsletter designed by Jennifer Dalton.

10/29/2025

HUMPBACK WHALE STRIKE REPORTED

On October 23rd, a Prince of Whales whale-watching vessel collided with a humpback in Howe Sound, north of Vancouver, BC. Two days later, a deceased humpback – identified as Wisp (BCY1464), the 2021 calf of Ghost (BCX1333) – was found on an island near the location of the strike. It may be that Wisp was the whale who was struck by the Prince of Whales vessel, but that has not yet been confirmed. Less than a week before this incident, a Hullo Ferry struck a different humpback near Vancouver. Skipper, the 2025 calf of Zigzag (BCX1193), was later seen with injuries consistent with a vessel strike. With the humpback population growing steadily each year, sadly these types of incidents are becoming more common.

An increase in vessels combined with increased whale presence leads to a higher risk of boat strikes for all whale species. Boaters are reminded to be vigilant and keep watch. Vessels can monitor real-time sightings through social media or the Whale Alert App to see where whales have been reported and give whales appropriate space.

Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network contributes real-time sightings to both Whale Alert and WRAS to reduce the risk of ship strikes to whales in Puget Sound. The vast majority of strike incidents are not due to negligence or recklessness. Whales can be unpredictable in their movements and can surface anywhere at any time, sometimes with tragic consequences. This has been the case in many incidents involving ferries, large ships, and smaller recreational and commercial vessels.

When these incidents do take place, transparency is important and vessel crews are both encouraged and required by law to report. Pointing fingers of blame, accusing and vilifying may result in an unwillingness to report vessel strikes when they occur.

This Report (provided in part) is from Orca Network

10/22/2025

BC GOV NEWS – Prepare for Seasonal Storms, Heavy Rain, Winds

As British Columbia transitions to cooler temperatures and seasonal storms, people are encouraged to prepare for the shift to fall weather, including a series of storms that may bring heavy rain and strong winds to coastal areas, starting Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

People are encouraged to keep storm drains clear to reduce localized flooding. With wet ground and many trees still holding their leaves, strong winds can frequently uproot trees or break branches. Be prepared for power interruptions from tree damage or downed power lines. Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts show potentially significant wind and rainfall for the north coast, central coast, south coast/Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre (RFC) continues to closely monitor forecasts and will issue high streamflow advisories, flood watches or flood warnings as conditions warrant

Learn More:
To learn more about Environment and Climate Change Canada’s up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts, visit: http://www.weather.gc.ca
For more information about flood warnings and high streamflow advisories, visit:
https://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm

UPDATE: Flood Warning – Coquitlam River (UPGRADE), West Vancouver Island - Flood Watch Central Coast, South Coast, Lower Fraser Tributaries, Vancouver Island - High Streamflow Advisory – North Coast, Interior Mountains Issued: 11:15 AM October 19, 2024davi 35

10/20/2025

REMINDER: LIVE PRESENTATION OCT. 28, 2025, 9am Pacific

Around the Americas: Whale Identification and Hydrophones
October 28th at 12:00pm Eastern Time

The more we understand about whales, the better we can advocate for positive measures of protection that are rooted in science. Hydrophones and drone technology to coastal marine and land-based surveys. Around the Americas has partnered with BC Whales to conduct comprehensive research on nutritional, acoustic, and social needs of whales.

Classrooms and interested individuals are welcome to signup to view this presentation via YouTube, Register at https://forms.gle/Jid159yuv4zetrmT9. This is a live presentation from the crew aboard S/V One Ocean, while underway on their Around the Americas Expedition. The production is hosted via "Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants."

10/19/2025

Gardiner Boat Launch Replacement

The boat launch ramp in Gardiner is located on the western shore of Discovery Bay. An easement allows the Port of Port Townsend to repair, maintain, and replace the facility as needed.

Thanks to funding from RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office) of Washington State and other funding resources, the 1982 Gardiner boat launch has been replaced with all new concrete sections, overhead power lines placed underground, a seasonal float provided for launching and retrieving of boats, and improvements for ADA access. The Gardiner Beach Road was paved and raised to prevent flooding. Van Ness Construction of Port Hadlock served as contractor, and Reid Middleton provided planning and design services.

The Gardiner Boat Launch has reopened after having been closed from July 14 to early October for construction.

10/16/2025

The Around the Americas Expedition has partnered with BC Whales to conduct comprehensive research on nutritional, acoustic, and social needs of whales.

The Expedition's 14-month voyage was launched in May, 2025. They are circumnavigating North and South America aboard the 48-foot sailboat, "One Ocean." The mission focuses on scientific research, education, and community outreach to raise awareness about ocean health. Building on Captain Mark Schrader’s original 2009–2010 journey, the expedition is comparing oceanic changes over the past 15 years.

You can register to attend this live Video event by going to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2qqrwJ0XmWj5umU22YDufVwJ_U6y5jEBK2_AfEvRx0tIT1w/viewform

10/09/2025

TUNE IN LIVE!

Live from the Research Icebreaker CCGS Amundsen
October 10th @ 10:00am eastern. Hosted by "Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants."

Hop on Canada’s only research icebreaker, the CCGS Amundsen, live from the Arctic. The Amundsen is a 98-meter-long vessel designed to navigate through thick ice. The vessel can accommodate 80 passengers and has a cafeteria, a lounge, showers and restrooms, staterooms, and even a laundry and a game room!

What makes the Amundsen unique, is its high-tech equipment to measure winds, currents, air temperatures, and to collect various marine species, seabed sediments, ice and salt water! From June to October, the ship welcomes scientists and professionals from all over the world to explore Canada’s northern seas and to better understand the challenges of the Arctic. Individuals and families as well as school classrooms can register to watch live. A link will be sent to watch on YouTube. To Register, go here:

Use the form below to sign up for the event you'd like to join. If you're hoping for a camera spot, we'll let you know if it's available and share details for joining. If you're signing up to tune in live via YouTube, we'll send you a link before the event. Lots of ways to join in whether your class...

10/08/2025

The Center For Wooden Boats, located at Lake Union Park in Seattle (adjacent to the Museum of History), is offering a "Public Sail and Halloween Bash" on Sunday, October 26, starting a 10am. Sign up for these short, fun rides at the Center, best to arrive by 9:30 am. Rides are available throughout the day until 4 pm on various craft, including sailboats, yachts, electric boats, and steamboats. For questions, call the Center at 206-382-2628.

10/08/2025

A new exhibit called "This Is Native Land" is opening on October 19, 2025, at the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma. The new exhibit was created by more than 100 contributors representing more than 60 Tribes. Visitors can now discover more about Washington State through the lived experiences and voices of its Native people.