ROV Specialist Documents Nearly 100 Shipwreck Targets in Seattle's Lake Union

An underwater robotics specialist is documenting nearly 100 potential shipwrecks in Lake Union, a central lake in Seattle, Washington.

Remotely operated vehicle specialist Phil Parisi is verifying targets previously identified in sonar surveys but not visually confirmed. The lake has functioned as a working waterway for more than a century, supporting shipbuilding and vessel traffic in the city.

About half of the sites are believed to be shipwrecks, though not all have been explored by divers, Parisi told KING 5. He uses ROVs to capture images of the targets.

"We need to document what these wrecks look like today," Parisi told KING 5.

He called deeper parts of the lake a "ghost town," where plant life fades beyond about 25 feet. "There is a harsh lack of life," he said. The lake compensates with abundant wreckage.

"It’s crazy that there’s so much down there," he added. "It’s shocking to me. I was stunned. Looking at these maps — it’s shipwreck city."

Parisi told Fox News Digital that his team has documented roughly 40 sites, with dozens more awaiting visual confirmation. They use GPS to approach targets, then sonar in the low-visibility waters.

"Flying blind through murky, low-visibility waters is difficult, so we rely on ROV-mounted sonars to 'see' and determine the target's relative position," he said. "Many wrecks are tucked underneath, and some marina owners are reluctant to let us film beneath their docks."

The team then descends to the bottom and maneuvers toward the sonar signature until the target appears on the ROV camera.

Pollution in Lake Union requires ROVs over scuba divers. "It's nice not having to worry about contaminants," Parisi said.

Seattle's piers create further obstacles. Wrecks often hide under docks, and marina owners sometimes block access. Identifying details proves tough due to biofouling, rust, poor anchoring and environmental damage that erases registration stickers and hull names or causes collapses.

Parisi highlighted two features of the sites: Lake Union's surprising shallowness compared to other Puget Sound waters and the large number of unconfirmed targets. "The lake is surprisingly shallow compared to other bodies of water in the Puget Sound, meaning lake goers are a stone's throw from the sunken maritime history yet are often unaware,"

he said. Documentation or footage lacks for more than half of the nearly 100 targets.

The effort builds on prior sonar surveys and dive records. Parisi wants locals to explore their surroundings. "Every place holds incredible landmarks and hidden treasures, yet we're often distracted by the humdrum of life,"

he said. "When you get the chance, allow curiosity to take over and do a deep dive into your local city or town's history — it is amazing what happened not so long ago, and it never disappoints!"