Topper buoy design for WSA dive site mooring buoys


Buoy oh Buoy!

WSA VP Jim Trask has been extremely busy finalizing the plans for the mooring buoy project he's been working on for years. The final permits have been granted, and while some money has been gathered, Jim is still searching for more funding.

While mooring buoys serve the obvious purpose of giving boat divers and charters a safe, secure place to tie up, and accurate placement of divers on the reef, they also help the environment and local habitat by helping boaters avoid damaging sensitive marine life every time they drop anchor at a popular dive site.

See the WSA buoy project featured on King 5 News

The Project in a Nutshell:

  • 15 dive sites around Puget Sound and Hood Canal have been approved for 22 mooring buoys (some sites get more than one - see below)
  • Each buoy costs about $3200
  • Current funding by WSA ($2100), PADI Project AWARE ($3500) and the Tide Riders Dive Club ($2100) will pay for only 2 buoys.
  • Auger-type anchoring as shown to the right, and topper buoy as pictured above.
  • First two are going in at the Pinnacle on Hood Canal, and Sunrise Wall in the Narrows.
  • Funding is still being sought from other sources, but nothing looks very promising

So here's the challenge:

  • Who: Individuals, families, dive buddies, clubs, shops, charters, etc.
  • Organize your group, combine resources and buy (sponsor) a buoy
  • Your group's name will be permanently installed on a plaque on the buoy of your choice
  • These are considered donations to WSA, a 501c(3) non-profit group, and are therefore tax deductible
  • If you are not affiliated with a group, or belong to a group and want to help (but can't afford to fund an entire buoy), and just want to donate ANY amount of money, go for it!

Remember, WSA does not charge membership dues (and has an all-volunteer Board of Directors and staff) so please give generously! Your donations will go directly to the Mooring buoy project.

Complete mooring buoy list:

North Sound GPS # of Buoys County Status
Possession Point Ferry 47 53.825 N 122 23.492 W 2 Island 1 Installed
South Sound GPS # of Buoys County Status
Dalco Wall 47 19.984 N 122 31.045 W 2 King
KVI Tower 47 25.182 N 122 25.040 W 1 King Installed
Zee's Reef 47 14.875 N 122 36.251 W 1 Pierce Installed
Sunrise 47 20.848 N 122.33.360 W 2 Pierce 1 Installed
Hood Canal GPS # of Buoys County Status
Pulali Point east wall 47 44.309 N 122 51.063 W 1 Jefferson
Pulali Point south wall 47 44.146 N 122 51.194 W 1 Jefferson
Pulali Point west wall 47 44.174 N 122 51.500 W 1 Jefferson
Pinnacle 47 43.423 N 122 52.535 W 2 Jefferson 1 Installed
Rosie's Ravine 47 37.942 N 122 56.474 W 1 Jefferson
Arrowhead 47 37.106 N 122 57.938 W 1 Jefferson
Black Point 47 39.671 N 122 54.162 W 1 Jefferson
Flagpole 47 33.859 N 123 00.885 W 2 Mason 1 Installed
Elephant Wall 47 33.672 N 123 01.147 W 1 Mason
"Do your part to fill in the chart"
Buy a Buoy!

Washington Scuba Alliance


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