News Release
| Release Number: | 07-012 |
| Dated: | 1/31/2007 |
| Contact: | Jennifer A. Sowell, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is attempting to locate 283 commercial crab pots that were lost off the Chetco River entrance near the south jetty in early December.
As part of providing for safe navigation it is the Corps’ responsibility to keep the federal channel clear of obstructions, including wrecks and debris. Commercial crab pots can range anywhere from 60 to 125 pounds and 36 to 48 inches in diameter.
The Corps will use a side-scan sonar and an underwater camera this week in an effort to locate the pots, which, if they are in or near the channel, could pose a potentially serious hazard to vessels attempting to navigate the bar. These high-tech methods will give the Corps a clearer image of any obstructions in the channel and provide information necessary to determine the risk to navigation, and if necessary, safely attempt recovery of the pots.
The Corps has been working with the U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Oregon and the Port of Brookings on the assessment and recovery effort. The channel was surveyed two weeks ago and dragged last week in an attempt to locate the crab pots, but recovery was not possible.