: There's a bit of a shoal that extends due north from Point Wilson. Of course,
: "shoal" in this case is still about 40 fathoms...out in the
: actual shipping channel, it's several hundred fathoms. Interesting that it
: appears to be in "shallower" water and out of the channel. Maybe
: the sailors were photographing the kayaks!

When I lived in Port Townsend, I was surprised how close the big ships were sometimes. Though on occasion they got too close. Once, a Strait/Sound pilot on an Indian registered grain freighter tried to cut the corner at Point Wilson. He went a bit too far inside the channel marker and ran her aground off Fort Worden. Happened in the evening, her lights and the USCG spotlights made quite a show. She was stuck for a while but came off easily as the tide rose and the tugs tugged.

Tom Moye