Volunteers boarded tugs, kayaks, small boats and recreational vessels to pick up litter from the Ballard Locks to the Fremont Bridge last Saturday during the annual Ship Canal Clean Up Project.

Over 90 people gave up their Saturday morning to use nets and pickup sticks to retrieve plastic bottles, aluminum cans, Styrofoam and just about anything else that ends up in the water.

Foss Maritime brought 16 volunteers and the Port of Seattle had the most with 20.

"We're being good stewards for the water front. This used to be a massive undertaking," said Bill Davis.

He was referring to the first Ship Canal clean up 15 years ago when 28 dumpsters were filled with garbage and junk.

"A little bit of everything ends up in the water," said Brian Carter, a natural resource specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Before the public became more educated about the environment, volunteers pulled out shopping carts, car batteries, tires, bikes and other large items left in or around the waterway.

In recent years, the dumpsters were reduced to 14 and last year only seven were filled.

On Saturday, volunteers filled nine dumpsters. Four large wooden pilings were pulled out of the canal.

"We don't pull out as much as we used to. It's cleaner than it used to be," said Davis.

Kelli Goodwin showed up to support the wildlife. She said the beavers, geese, river otters and herons need a happy environment to live in.

"It's a good idea to keep our waters clean," said Steve Gleaves, who came at the urging of his wife.

Most of the litter is produced by the general public, not the maritime industry.

Lise Kenworthy sees the volunteer effort as a way to build community through helping the environment. She is a member of the Seattle Maritime Business Coalition.

"We need healthy waterways and a thriving working water front," said Kenworthy. People fishing in Alaska bring money back that supports the economy and family wage jobs.

The Port of Seattle supported the clean up because the maritime industry is an economic generator in Seattle.

"It's important for the Port to show it's a good neighbor," said Sally Defierro, who works for the Port in public affairs.

Tobey Wilkins, a lender/loan officer with Ballard's Viking Bank served as the vessel coordinator.

"We support this maritime community," Wilkins said.

Volunteers were treated to a seafood barbecue by Ballard's master griller Warren Aakervik, president of Ballard Oil, after their work was done.

The event was organized by the Seattle Maritime Business Coalition along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Port of Seattle, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and Seattle Public Utilities.

Dean Wong may be reached at deanw@robinsonnews.com