Workers ready to remove tsunami dock from Wash. coast
FORKS, Wash. (AP) - Workers are waiting in Forks for better weather to start removing a 65-foot long dock that washed ashore on the Washington coast from the Japanese tsunami.
A spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Keeley Belva, said Friday work could start over the weekend if weather, tides and safety considerations are favorable.
The dock made of plastic foam encased in concrete is on a remote beach within the boundaries of Olympic National Park and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The Undersea Co. of Port Townsend will dismantle the 185-ton dock into pieces that can be carried away by a helicopter.
Japan is paying most of the $478,000 removal cost. A serial number confirmed the dock was lost in the March 2011 tsunami. It landed in Washington in December.
A spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Keeley Belva, said Friday work could start over the weekend if weather, tides and safety considerations are favorable.
The dock made of plastic foam encased in concrete is on a remote beach within the boundaries of Olympic National Park and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The Undersea Co. of Port Townsend will dismantle the 185-ton dock into pieces that can be carried away by a helicopter.
Japan is paying most of the $478,000 removal cost. A serial number confirmed the dock was lost in the March 2011 tsunami. It landed in Washington in December.
I think Japan has suffered enough with the tsunami and its aftermath. It does not seem fair nor right that we would ask them to pay for removing this debris. In my opinion, it feels very "cheap" on the part of the U.S to accept money for debris removal caused by what our own insurance companies would call an "act of God". It's not like the Japanese intentionally put all this stuff in the ocean to get rid of it. Tacky.
Why is japan paying for this? it's not like they sent here on purpose. If the state want to make a buck on it put it on Ebay and make the buyer move it. There has to be someplace around here that needs a cheap dock.
Maybe we should ask Mexico to pay for the dirt that got blown north and the last wind storm.
Thye should just leave the dock where it landed so I can be "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay" like Otis Redding.
Are we sending all the pieces back to Japan? Just wondering what the $478,000 is paying for
I'd be curious to see a breakdown of the costs as well. That seems awfully steep. You'd think they would tow it by sea to a better beach access point to break it down and dispose of it.
@my2cents I've hiked this beach and it is in an extremely remote location. It's not like there's a road to easily back a crane up and pick this thing up. Much of the cost is due to the complex logistics needed to get to the location itself.Â
Leave it there kind of adds a little decor to that area and use the monies for something important and useful..
I think it looks nice right there.
Why are we charging Japan for this? I can understand if they insist since they are one of the most responsible countries now. If we are charging Japan why can't we charge China for the pollution they generate that hits our country? Why can't we charge Mexico for all the illegal aliens in our country, like get repayment for the new college aid Washington is making available for illegal aliens?Â
Would it be cheaper to send over a tug and tow it back to japan and re-use it?
Use it for the 520 floating bridge.
So this thing survived a Tsunami and then floated for 9 months through some of the roughest waters known (the north Pacific), and washed up on our shore in mostly one piece, and we want to dismantle it? Why not take it to WSDOT so they can see how engineering can actually make things like this FLOAT?
@IQhiker I think only the north atlantic is rougher, near norway. What is that, the north sea?
@waDNR is.gd\/RJFIPo\/wrubtxvâ¦E9z
I am thinking...... $478,000 removal cost? BS..
@Funky-MunkyI've hiked this beach and it is in an extremely remote location. It's not like there's a road to easily back a crane up and pick this thing up. Much of the cost is due to the complex logistics needed to get to the location itself.Â