Ship Canal Cameras
Ship Canal Cameras
VIEW THE MOST INTERESTING BALLARD SHIP CANAL ACTIVITY
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RV Golden Dolphin surveying in front of SBMC. Golden Dolphin is owned and operated by Ross Labs, who, in 1953, successfully miniaturized sonar so it could be installed on pleasure and fishing vessels. Ross Labs continues to make equipment for bathymetric surveying and uses Golden Dolphin for testing their own equipment as well as charters to survey groups.
FV Pescawa, a word meaning “Big Canoe” in local native dialects, was built in 1939 in Victoria, BC. She was extensively rebuilt in 2012 in Anacortes.
MV North Star, a Moonen 90, arriving on the lake after a substantial refit. North Star is owned by video game pioneers Ken and Roberta Williams, founders of Sierra Online. They maintain a blog about their boat adventures.
MV Battlewagon, a 98′ Delta Marine yacht launched in 2024. Few details on Battlewagon or her design are available publicly.
Human-powered rowing shells are the fastest traffic in the Ship Canal. They’re also resilient–no matter the darkness or rain, they’re out practicing.
Western Towboat’s smallest tug, Flyer, pulling a floating home through the ship canal.
FV Emancipator moving towards the Locks. Emancipator was built in Gig Harbor by Skansie Brothers Boat Works in 1918. Brad Buske, the current owner, purchased her for $1 and had her extensively rebuilt. Learn more about Emancipator here.
“Sailgating” at Husky Games is a long-standing UW tradition. This Marlow Explorer was well decorated with UW flags as it passed SBMC on its way to Husky Stadium.
Hiyu, formerly a Washington State Ferry serving the San Juan Islands, is now an event space. It can handle more than 300 guests, includes two bars, and can even host a food truck!
Seattle Flying Dragons paddling past SBMC. Dragon boats each have 20 paddlers, a person to steer, and a drummer. Seattle Flying Dragons offers team building and guest opportunities for those wanting to try it out.
MV Hyak, a 2019 Ocean Alexander 100, heading towards the locks.
MV Curlew returning to Salmon Bay. Coastal Transportation operates Curlew as a training vessel to prepare mariners to work on its larger freighters.
A wallywhy100 passing SBMC. We’ve never seen a boat quite like this. The builder describes it as: “Chameleon-like, it adapts stylishly to different occasions thanks to a hybrid inside-outside concept. There’s dining for six, two chaises-longs, a bar and a galley, where the interplay between opening sides and aft doors can completely alter the ambiance. The wheelhouse can be easily closed off and the cockpit turned into a cosy movie lounge.”
Two commercial fishing boats pass in front of SBMC. The smaller boat, moving from left to right, is a bowpicker, used for gillnet fishing. The larger boat, moving from right to left, is a purse seiner (commonly just called a seiner). Seiners are limited to 58 feet long by regulation.
American Constitution inbound to Lake Union for winter moorage and shipyard work. This 170-passenger cruise ship was built in 2018 and is utilized for cruises in Alaska during the summer and the San Juans and Puget Sound during Spring and Fall.
73-foot Argonaut II passing SBMC. Argonaut II was originally built in Vancouver in 1922 as a private yacht. In her 100+ years, she’s served private owners, missionary groups, and corporate owners. The current Gardner 6L3 was installed in 1940 and reportedly has more than 120,000 hours and still runs well. Nicholas Verrochi, her current steward, reports an efficient cruising speed of 8.2 knots burning just 2.2 gallons per hour. Click here to learn more about Argonaut II.
A rare Fountain 65, built in 2001. With twin Caterpillar C32 engines, each making 1600hp, this boat passes everything but the fuel dock.
Nordhavn 71 Luna passing SBMC. This is hull #1 of the 71 series and she looks much larger than the previous-generation Nordhavn 68 (two 68s live at SBMC).
Coastal Trader inbound to Coastal Transportation’s Salmon Bay loading facility. Coastal Transportation operates a fleet of five transport vessels that connect Seattle with remote western-Alaska ports, including Dutch Harbor. Coastal Transportation has an excellent YouTube series about their operation here.
276-foot American Empress II passing SBMC. With a crew of 118, this fishing vessel primarily fishes for Wild Pacific Hake. Most Hake is processed and sent to Japan and Korea. It must be processed quickly to prevent spoilage, and processing is done onboard vessels like American Empress.
A loaded gravel barge inbound from Puget Sound, pushed by the tug Island Chief. This tug-and-barge combo often run between Tacoma and Kenmore, passing SBMC several times a week.
Fireboat Chief Seattle, a 97-foot City of Seattle vessel, originally built by Nichols Brothers in 1983. She is powered by three Detroit Diesel 16V92 engines and can respond to emergencies at up to 24 knots. She is moored at Fishermen’s Terminal, next to SBMC.
M/V Constant, a 1974 Doggersbank 63. We love the classic lines! Built in steel in the Netherlands, Constant has had just four owners her 50 years, and she’s cruised on her own bottom from Europe to the Pacific Northwest. Click here to see more of her history and here for her listing with Denison Yachts.
Seattle Police Patrol 6 speeds by SBMC. The ship canal is a no-wake zone, but police are excepted when responding to an emergency. Patrol 6 is a 31-foot SAFE boat powered by three 300hp Mercury outboards. More about the Seattle Harbor Patrol vessels here.
Surfbird, a 115 foot custom expedition yacht built by B&B Boatworks, returning to SBMC from an end-of-season trip to the fuel dock. Surfbird is newly available for charters! Visit www.surfbirdexpeditions.com for more info.