Photo: NASA Earth Observatory, Ryan Cutler
1. Voula’s Offshore Café brainstorm
The NNW team after a magazine brainstorm at the local mainstay, Voula’s Offshore Café, in Seattle. Have you ever been? Left to right: Todd Feinroth (owner/publisher), Steve Hillman (sales), Kathy Samuelson (art director), and Craig Perry (sales).
2A and 2B. Local herring spawn seen from SPACE!
Photos: NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin (A) and Ryan Cutler (B)
The seasonal Pacific herring spawn this year was so epic that NASA’s Operational Land Imager on the Landsat 9 satellite got pictures. No, that bright green in the water of these pictures off Salmon Beach of Vancouver Island and Forbes Island isn’t algae—it’s herring eggs and sperm. Herring are important to the ecosystem, so the more, the better.
3A and 3B. Froyo? Yes please, Port of Everett.
Photo and words submitted by the Port of Everett
It just got sweeter at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place with Menchie’s at the Marina, now open at the Fisherman’s Harbor “Restaurant Row,” bringing its popular self-serve frozen yogurt experience to the waterfront. Owners Joe Karl and Leah Solis-Karl (3B), who also operate the Menchie’s location at Canyon Park Commons in Bothell, said opening in Everett feels a bit like coming home. Joe keeps his 28’ fishing boat moored in the Port’s South Marina and Leah previously worked nearby at Naval Station Everett earlier in her career.
4. Meeting Doug ‘Free Bowl of Soup’ Schenk on the Columbia River
Photo and words: Norris Comer
I had the good fortune to meet Doug Schenk, who many associate with his competitive racing aboard his Club Swan 42, Free Bowl of Soup, during an improvised RIB hitchhike as part of the escort for the new 80’ Wylie-Rander sailboat Gem’s maiden voyage from Schooner Creek to the Portland Yacht Club for her christening. He gave me the inside scoop on the PNW Offshore Race as we puttered along under clear skies and Mt. Hood views. Thanks, Doug!
5. Raisbeck Aviation High School Gala
The Raisbeck Aviation High School PTSA held its annual gala and auction on March 7 at the Museum of Flight. Funds are raised to support student STEM enrichment, career mentoring, and educational events. Nautical Northwest contributed an annual subscription to the silent auction—even if it’s small, we love supporting the next generation that may very well go on to pilot the Kenmore Air flights of tomorrow. Pictured here is NAME, next to the magazine subscription at the silent auction.
6A and 6B. Velella Invasion
Photo courtesy of Mark Graves
Visitors of the Oregon and Washington coastline were greeted by a mass standing of electric blue velella, jellyfish-like floating hydrozoans that harness the power of the wind with their own translucent sail-like bodies. These strandings are special, surreal events, but not highly unusual; rather a reminder for how beautiful and mysterious our waters can be.
7. Lief Erickson Shindig at Shilshole
A ceremony was held at the Leif Erikson Statue in Shilshole Bay Marina to honor a new plaque recognizing local Nordic immigrant families. The influence of Nordic immigrants on the marine industry and coastal communities is still felt to this day.
8. Gray Whale Shoots the Swinomish
Photo courtesy of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
Readers of our magazine may recall that La Conner, WA, was the subject of our Northwest Navigator cruising destination spotlight. In it, we mentioned that gray whales like to hang out in the waters south of the Swinomish Channel, often to the east of Whidbey Island. Well, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office did one better and caught this image of a gray whale transiting the channel on April 7. Turns out, La Conner is for water lovers of all kinds, after all.
9. Honoring US Coast Guard Hero Tyler Jaggers
Photos and words released by the United States Coast Guard
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers, an aviation survival technician assigned to Air Station Astoria, OR, passed away on the evening of March 5, 2026, as a result of critical injuries suffered during the rescue of a distressed mariner from a commercial ship off the Oregon coast on Feb. 27. As part of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Jaggers was injured while responding to a medical emergency aboard the commercial motor vessel Momi Arrow, located approximately 120 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery, WA.
“Aviation Survival Technician Jaggers represented the very best of our Service and the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community,” said Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the US Coast Guard. “He demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of danger, upholding the highest standards of courage and excellence for Coast Guard operations. We honor his selfless actions and unwavering devotion to our highest calling: to save others. His family has our deepest condolences and steadfast support, and we continue to honor their privacy during this very difficult time.”
10. Lake Coeur d’Alene Cleanup Unites Community to Protect Idaho’s Waters
Images and words submitted by Sophia Hartsock
On May 26, community members, local businesses, and outdoor partners will come together for a large-scale cleanup effort at Tubbs Hill and Lake Coeur d’Alene. Hosted by Marine Rescue CDA, with support from Visit Idaho’s Travel With Care program, Hagadone Marine Group, and Diversified Dive Shop, the event invites volunteers to help protect the lake and surrounding shoreline. Open to locals, visitors, and outdoor enthusiasts alike, the Lake Coeur d’Alene Cleanup offers a meaningful opportunity to give back, connect with others, and help ensure that this special place remains clean, safe, and accessible for generations to come.
Event Details:
- Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: The Buoy Restaurant close to the public docs near Tubbs Hill
The event will also feature community engagement elements, including prizes and rewards for participants who collect the most trash. The Idaho Transportation Department has partnered with the event to weigh the trash and debris collected to measure the impact of the initiative. Among the many local businesses and partners contributing, this event is also made possible by sponsors and contributors including Mustang Survival, Subsalve USA, Coeur d’Alene Clothing Company, and Tanglewood Construction. See you there!
