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Campers, residents urge county to stop cruise ships anchoring in small Shaw Island bays, cite noise, lights and wildlife impacts
Summary
Nearby residents and park stakeholders asked the council to stop American Cruise Lines ships from anchoring in small bays such as Indian Cove and Reefnet Bay, saying large vessels disrupt campers, run noisy generators overnight and may harm eelgrass and forage‑fish habitat and marine wildlife.
Jennifer Woodbridge, who represents neighbors near South Shaw and Indian Cove, told the San Juan County Council that American Cruise Lines has anchored ships of about 175–200 passengers in small bays near Shaw County Park and Canoe Island since 2019 and that the practice harms campers, nearby residents and marine habitat.
Woodbridge said ships typically arrive about 6:30 p.m. and remain until about 7 a.m., operate loud generators all night, and are brightly lit. "The ships are smelly, noisy, and they ruin campers' experience by destroying all calm and destroying the dark of night," she said. She added that Shaw County Park does not allow short‑term rentals and that the ship presence is like “having a 200‑person motel move in for the night.”
Woodbridge also raised ecological concerns, saying both Reefnet Bay and Indian Cove have recorded forage fish sites and eelgrass beds; she cited research linking underwater noise and anchoring disturbance to harm to marine wildlife, including orcas, seals, river otters and seabirds. She said she has repeatedly written to the company since 2019 and received no substantive response from American Cruise Lines, although camp directors received a reply in May.
No formal action was recorded during public comment. Woodbridge asked the county to consider rules or enforcement options to limit anchorage in small bays and to protect campers and sensitive marine habitat.
