Large Rig with Radar (SBX 1)

[FNS]

There is a big rig with a radar being brought down to Seattle today by tug. This is the "SBX 1".







This was in view from the Race Rocks cam:

www.racerocks.com/racerock/video5remote.htm

Later, you may be able to view this from the Port Townsend cam:

www.cityofpt.us/Webcam/OutSideCam.asp

Edmonds:

images.wsdot.wa.gov/wsf/edmonds/vessel.jpg

And on various cams in Seattle.

[Retrovision]

Thanks for the heads up! According to AIS tracking, there were some lucky Coho passengers who just crossed her path southbound to Port Angeles.

See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-based_X-band_Radar

Operational history

The SBX deployed in 2006. The ship has spent time for maintenance and repair at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii several times, including 170 days in 2006, 63 days in in 2007, 63 days in 2008, 177 days in 2009, and 51 days in 2010. When not at Hawaii, the SBX has been on operational deployments in the Pacific, including traveling to waters off Alaska. The ship has not moored at Alaska, in spite of the construction of a $26 million, eight-point mooring chain system installed in 2007 in Adak's Kuluk Bay. Between 2009 and 2010, the platform spent 396 continuous days at sea.[2] In May 2011 the SBX-1 entered Vigor Shipyard, formerly the Todd Pacific Shipyard in Seattle for a $27 million upgrade and maintenance work by contract Boeing [3].

[3] - seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015012804_apwaradarvessel.html

Unusual radar vessel visiting Puget Sound

An unusual vessel headed for a Seattle shipyard could attract a lot of attention Tuesday as it moves through Puget Sound.

The Associated Press

SEATTLE —
An unusual vessel headed for a Seattle shipyard could attract a lot of attention Tuesday as it moves through Puget Sound.

It's a mobile radar station mounted on a floating oil-drilling platform.

The Sea-Based X-Band radar vessel is operated by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and operates in the Pacific, watching for ballistic missiles.

Boeing won a $27 million contract for the upgrade and maintenance work to be performed at Vigor Shipyard, formerly the Todd Pacific Shipyard in Seattle.

The radar will not be operating while in port. The public is required to stay at least 100 yards away from the vessel.

---

Information from: Peninsula Daily News, www.peninsuladailynews.com

Copyright © 2011 The Seattle Times Company

I was able to see the behemoth when at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a couple of years back...


Sea-Based X-BAND RADAR @ Pearl Harbor by indyinsane, on Flickr


Sea-Based X-BAND RADAR @ Pearl Harbor by indyinsane, on Flickr


Sea-Based X-BAND RADAR @ Pearl Harbor by indyinsane, on Flickr


Sea-Based X-BAND RADAR @ Pearl Harbor by indyinsane, on Flickr

[Kam]

Very cool!

I can see her on Siitech right now, 119m x 70m!

[Kam]

May 10, 2011 9:19:08 GMT -8 FNS said:

There is a big rig with a radar being brought down to Seattle today by tug. This is the "SBX 1".

She is actualy under her own power, no tug needed!

[FNS]

May 10, 2011 11:07:42 GMT -8 Kam said:

May 10, 2011 9:19:08 GMT -8 FNS said:

There is a big rig with a radar being brought down to Seattle today by tug. This is the "SBX 1".

She is actualy under her own power, no tug needed!

This rig has two tugs/vessels assisting. These are the PACIFIC STAR and the LINDSEY FOSS (Always Ready!).

At 1300PDT, the trio were passing Dungeness Spit at nearly seven knots. It'll be awhile for them to enter the tighter Salish Sea confines of Puget Sound.

1400PDT, north of Protection Island.

1500PDT, north of Port Townsend.


1600PDT, Passing Port Townsend with the CHETZEMOKA in view.

[FNS]

Wednesday greetings!

I took some photos of that big rig yesterday early evening as this passed by the Edmonds area. Also, from aboard the SPOKANE on the Kingston run.

ENJOY!


Coming down the Sound between Point No Point and Double Bluff.


The rig meets the CARNIVAL SPIRIT.


And, then, there is the CELEBRITY INFINITY.


Aboard the SPOKANE. That seagull doesn't look interested.


A good view of this rig.


Arriving Kingston. Nice photo!


Photo from Kingston. A freighter meets the rig.


With Edmonds and the WALLA WALLA in the dock.


Back aboard the SPOKANE, we see the rig with Mount Index to the right.


The rig continues south to Seattle with Mount Rainier at the left of this photo.


With the life ring of the MV SPOKANE.


One final photo.

END

[FNS]

The SBX 1 is leaving Seattle at this hour today.


From ferrycam.com

[FNS]

The SBX 1 is out on the bay at this time.


From ferrycam.com


From ferrycam.com


From spaceneedle.com

[FNS]

Here are photos taken from Edmonds:


Three cruise ships and SBX 1.


People and pets on the beach and SBX 1. Amtrak's Empire Builder rounding the bend.


Empire Builder is right on time.


SBX 1 passing Edmonds.


SBX 1 and The Brothers.


SPOKANE and SBX 1.


PUYALLUP and SBX 1.


PUYALLUP departing Edmonds, SBX 1 continues up the Salish Sea.


Last photo from Edmonds.

Next up is Port Townsend.

www.ptguide.com/photo-a-video-tour

[FNS]

From the Port Townsend webcam:













Source:
www.ptguide.com/photo-a-video-tour

Ferry captured in these images of the SBX 1 is the SALISH. She is taking her turn as the number one vessel on the Keystone run and is seen doing the final round trip of the day.

Next and final cam view is from Race Rocks.

[FNS]

Here are the final webcam captures of the SBX 1 on her recent visit to the Salish Sea:


Our final webcam location to capture images of the outgoing SBX 1 takes us to Race Rocks. Here, we see this passing Port Angeles.


SBX 1 and Port Angeles.


Passing Race Rocks.


On her way out.


Final capture. The SBX 1 fades away from the lens of this camera.

Thanks for your visit, SBX 1!

END