Possession Beach Waterfront Park Boat Ramp – Temporary Changes
The Port of South Whidbey posted this to its Facebook page on 2026-02-02 11:08:16.
Possession Beach Waterfront Park Boat Ramp – Temporary Changes
A series of winter storms significantly undermined the sand at the Possession Beach Waterfront Park boat ramp. This damage led to a partial collapse of the concrete, creating an unsafe condition. Recent king tides further worsened the situation by scouring the beach and leaving a steep drop-off at the end of the damaged ramp.
What does this mean for boaters?
The ramp is currently accessible only at a +4 tide or higher. Our maintenance crew has placed curb stops at the end of the ramp to prevent vehicles from reversing too far into the water. Additional signage will be installed soon to warn users of the hazard and provide guidance for safer use of the ramp.
What is the Port of South Whidbey doing about it?
We initially applied for an emergency repair permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; however, the request was denied because the situation was not deemed an emergency. We are now required to apply for a standard permit, which is a longer process. Additionally, the upcoming salmon spawning season further limits repair options, as heavy equipment is not permitted on the beach during this time.
Please rest assured that significant planning and engineering work has already gone into the design of a new ramp to help prevent similar issues in the future. At this stage, we are awaiting the permitting process and will continue to provide updates to the fishing and boating community that relies on this resource year-round.
