MAKING WAVES

BY RANDY WOODS

Summertime Cruise News: Beach Buoys Pump Out the Jam

Summer’s the busiest time of the year for Northwest boaters, so here is a roundup of some regional developments that may affect your warm-weather cruising—from new moorage buoys in British Columbia to Puget Sound’s best sewage pump-out spots.

New D’Arcy Island, BC, Moorages Open: D’Arcy Island, one of the lesser-known islands at the southern end of Canada’s Gulf Islands archipelago, was recently equipped by Parks Canada with two new guest moorage buoys, paid for by the BC Marine Parks Forever Society. Located in the Haro Strait a few miles west of San Juan Island, 83-hectare D’Arcy Island is uninhabited but has a network of old rails, primitive campsites, and some picnic tables for day hikes. The mooring buoys on the east side of the island were set up to help boaters navigate the notoriously rocky shores and strong currents in the strait that have kept visitors away over the years. Under the new visitor rules, boaters with vessels measuring less than 50 feet may use the buoys without charge for short-term stays until 3 p.m.; those camping overnight will be charged C$14 a night from May 15 to September 30. For more information, visit the BC Marine Parks site at: bcmpfs.ca

‘Mind the Zone’ Seaplane Buoys Return to Lake Union:

Last year’s “Mind The Zone” boat safety campaign on Seattle’s Lake Union is returning this summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend, to raise awareness of the busy lake’s increased traffic by both boaters and seaplanes. A series of five well-marked orange-and-white buoys have been anchored in a north-south central zone of the lake that is shared by sea planes and boaters. Yellow lights on each buoy begin flashing when a plane is approaching to land or take off on the water. The lights are an indication that all swimmers and operators of power, sail, or paddle boats should move quickly to the east or west of the buoys at a minimum distance of 200 feet on either side. The effort is managed by the Recreational Boating Association of Washington, and currently voluntary. More details about the seasonal program can be found at: rbaw.org/mindthezone

Refurbished Keystone Boat Launch to Re-open

This Month: After several months of repair work, the Keystone Boat Launch on Whidbey Island is scheduled to re-open. Since late 2022, the launch and breakwater structures have been closed for repair after a damaging December 2018 storm. While the final construction of the breakwater has interfered with the spring halibut and lingcod fishing season, the boat launch is expected to be fully restored for the summer season. The launch, located near the Keystone Ferry Terminal within Fort Casey Historical State Park, will include a restored shoreline, new guide piles and floats, and a breakwater structure designed to better protect the infrastructure from future storms. For more details, go to: parks.wa.gov

Redesigned Website Educates WA Boaters About

Safe Pumpouts: With seasonal watercraft usage on the rise again this summer, Washington Sea Grant has refreshed its website to educate boaters about the latest safe and environmentally conscious method of pumping out boat sewage in the Puget Sound area. The Pumpout Washington website is a clearinghouse of information about how boat operators can comply with the state’s No Discharge Zone (NDZ) policy, which bans any sewage from being discharged into Puget Sound waters. The refreshed site contains a live map, updated in real time, showing the locations of safe permanent and mobile pump-out stations and boaters can also learn about how NDZs provide ecological protection for humans and regional aquaculture, and plan ahead for any pit stops they may need for future extended summer excursions. Find out more at: pumpoutwashington.org

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