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.
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 |
