Captains Info
Directions to SBMC
To enter Lake Washington from Puget Sound you will need to transit the locks (formally called the Hirem S Chittenden Locks,
but informally known as the Ballard Locks). This is a very simple process. The locks are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
No reservations are required and you do not have to pay any fees.
Just outside the locks (salt water side) is a railroad bridge. This bridge is usually in the open position. If it is in the
closed position the clearance is 42 feet. To request the bridge to open either honk your horn one long blast followed by one
short blast, or contact the bridge master on VHF channel 13, or phone the bridge master at 206 784-2976. The bridge will answer
with a long and a short horn blast if it will comply and open immediately or four shorts if it cannot open immediately (because
a train is about to arrive). Even if the bridge is closed it is never a long wait.
Once through the bridge you are right at the mouth of the locks. There are two sets of locks, the small locks (south side)
which can take a maximum vessel length of 120 feet, and the large locks (north side) which can accommodate vessels up to 700
feet. The lock masters will tell you which they want you to enter and there are also red/green traffic lights to indicate
where they want you to go. The lock masters are also reachable on VHF channel 13 or by phone at 206 783-7000. The locks are
open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and no reservations or fees are required. In preparation for going through the lock you
want to have bumpers out on both sides of your vessel as the loch master may have smaller boats raft to you. Even if your
vessel can fit in the small locks, sometimes due to vessel traffic or other constraints, the lock master might direct you to
the large locks. In case this happens, you need to have long bow and stern lines (at least 60 feet in length) ready. In the
large locks you pass your lines to the lock master who secures them up top and you adjust your lines as the water level brings
you up. In the small locks you tie directly to floating walls that rise with the water level and your vessel and no adjustment
of lines is required.
Once you are through the locks you travel roughly 2,000 feet east down the ship canal (also called Salmon Bay) and our facility
is on the south side of the canal.
Washington State Pilotage Regulations
Foreign Flagged Vessels:
Over 200 feet: (60.96m) or 500 tons require a pilot. To schedule a pilot call (206) 448-4455, 8-5, M-F
Under 200 feet: (60.96m) and 500 tons are eligible for an exemption for no pilot.
Download the Exemption application and Exemption summary
Send completed form to:
All Visiting Vessels
Puget Sound visiting vessels are required to check in with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). Please see the downloadable and
printable VTS user manual and become familiar with the requirements prior to entering local waters.
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