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An underwater robotics specialist is revealing a “shipwreck metropolis” concealed beneath a lake in a major West Coast metropolis — and much of it remains a mystery.
Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) specialist Phil Parisi is working to verify and document nearly 100 “targets” in Lake Union, a central lake in Seattle, Washington.
The urban lake has functioned as a working waterway for over a century, supporting shipbuilding and vessel traffic in the Emerald City.
The expert told KING 5 that approximately half of those sites, which were previously mapped but not visually confirmed, are believed to be shipwrecks — and not all of them have been explored by divers.
To bridge this gap, Parisi employs remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to document targets identified in sonar surveys.
Phil Parisi, seen at right, in foreground, is utilizing remotely operated vehicles to investigate underwater targets in Lake Union, aiming to confirm which sites are shipwrecks and gain a better understanding of the lake’s maritime history. (shipwreckcity.org)
“We must document the current state of these wrecks,” Parisi informed KING 5.
He described deeper sections of the lake as a “ghost town,” where plant life diminishes beyond approximately 25 feet.
“There is a stark absence of life,” Parisi stated.
But what the lake lacks in marine life, he noted, it compensates for in wreckage.
Nearly half of the mapped targets in Lake Union are thought to be shipwrecks, although many have not yet been visually confirmed or investigated by divers. (shipwreckcity.org)
“It’s astonishing how much is down there,” he added, according to KING 5. “It’s remarkable to me. I was taken aback. Looking at these maps — it’s a shipwreck city.”
Parisi told Fox News Digital that, while roughly 40 sites have already been documented, dozens more identified in sonar surveys have yet to be visually confirmed — work he is now undertaking.
Parisi and his team utilize GPS to approach targets, then depend on sonar to locate them in low-visibility waters.
“Navigating blind through murky, low-visibility waters is challenging, so we rely on ROV-mounted sonars to ‘see’ and determine the target’s relative position,” he explained.
“Many wrecks are concealed underneath, and some marina owners are hesitant to permit us to film beneath their docks.”
“Then, we descend to the bottom and move toward the sonar signature until the target becomes visible on the live ROV camera.”
Due to pollution in Lake Union, Parisi indicated his team relies on ROVs, rather than scuba divers.
“It’s advantageous not having to be concerned about contaminants,” he said.
But they still encounter obstacles, particularly with Seattle’s piers lining the lake.
Identifying details on submerged vessels are frequently obscured by biofouling, rust, and environmental deterioration, making documentation arduous. (shipwreckcity.org)
“Numerous wrecks are situated beneath, and some marina proprietors are reluctant to grant us permission to record beneath their docks,” he stated.
“Furthermore, when we reach a wreck, obtaining identifying information can be exceedingly difficult. Biofouling, corrosion, poor public anchoring methods, and other environmental degradation often cause registration stickers to detach, obscure painted hull names, and lead to wrecks collapsing.”
When asked about characterizing the lake as a “shipwreck city,” Parisi highlighted two notable aspects of the underwater sites: the shallowness of Lake Union and the considerable number of “unknown” targets that persist.
“The lake is surprisingly shallow when contrasted with other bodies of water in the Puget Sound, implying that lake visitors are in close proximity to the sunken maritime history yet are frequently unaware,” commented Parisi.
“Every location holds remarkable landmarks and concealed treasures, yet we are often diverted by the monotony of daily life.”
“Secondly, documentation or footage is absent for over half of the nearly one hundred targets in the lake, leaving a significant void in our comprehension of what resides there.”
Parisi mentioned that the endeavor is not a novel discovery, but rather builds upon prior sonar surveys and dive records that mapped the locations.
He also emphasized the significance of local exploration, stating his desire for Americans “to be enthusiastic about what resides in their own vicinity.”
“We must document the current appearance of these wrecks,” Parisi asserted, describing the ongoing effort to capture the present conditions of submerged vessels. (shipwreckcity.org)
“Every place holds incredible landmarks and hidden treasures, yet we are often preoccupied by the routine of life,” remarked Parisi.
“When you have the opportunity, permit curiosity to take precedence and conduct a thorough investigation into your local city or town’s past — it is astonishing what transpired not too long ago, and it never fails to impress!”