Underwater Music Festival a big hit at Point Ruston

More than 100 boats turned out for the reboot of the popular south Puget Sound event, the "Underwater Music Festival." The one-day, on-water live music event featured local bands playing on the hour from Noon - 6pm aboard a floating stage at Point Ruston, located on Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Wash. Boats ranging from inflatables and kayaks to 50'-plus yachts anchored and rafted to enjoy the concert.

The event was last held in the summer of 2011 near Cutts Island in the Gig Harbor area. In 2012, the event was cancelled due to permitting challenges between the event's organizer, Setlist Music, and Pierce County officials. The event was held at the Cutts Island location each summer since it was created in 2009. The move of the event to private tidelands at Point Ruston this year eliminated many of the permitting issues. The event was patrolled in the water, and on shore, by Tacoma Police and the U.S. Coast Guard.

NMTA's Grow Boating Committee voted to sponsor the event to ensure that it took place in 2013, helping to create an event that saw more than 100 boats participate during the day.