7/4 Whatcom closure, coal spill, Grand Alliance, BC Coast Guard

All Whatcom County beaches have been closed to recreational shellfish harvesting because of unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poison, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Until further notice, clams, mussels, scallops, oysters and cockles may not be harvested at any beaches in the county. Crabs can be taken, but crab "butter" and entrails should be discarded  Toxin levels close all Whatcom County beaches to shellfish harvesting  

This week crews are cleaning up about 30 train cars full of coal that overturned near Mesa , in Eastern Washington. The accident has raised questions about proposed increased train shipments of coal through the nearby Columbia River Gorge.  Coal spill raises questions about boosting exports

Instead of turning left at Elliott Bay, the 66,000-ton containership Dusseldorf Express continued steaming south on Monday afternoon, headed for Tacoma. This was the “first call” to Commencement Bay for the ship, and for the Grand Alliance of three primary shipping lines that once called at the Port of Seattle.  First ship with Grand Alliance arrives at Port of Tacoma  

B.C. Environment Minister Terry Lake is calling on Ottawa to increase the Canadian Coast Guard’s presence along B.C.’s shores, saying the added protection is needed because of an expected uptick in large-scale tankers carrying cargo such as oil and gas.  Environment Minister Terry Lake presses for increased coast guard along B.C. shores  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
900 PM PDT TUE JUL 3 2012
WED
LIGHT WIND...BECOMING NW 5 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 4 FT AT 8 SECONDS.
WED NIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING LIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 4 FT AT 8 SECONDS

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