A large vessel passing the Port of Kalama, Washington, marina on the Columbia River early Monday morning caused more than $1 million damage to boats and docks there, Port officials said.
Liz Newman, marketing manager for the Port, said the vessel passed the marina at “excessive speed” between 4 and 5 a.m. Some boats were tossed up on top of the docks, others were damaged, lines snapped and boats ran into other boats. The marina was filled with debris.
The marina, with 222 slips, is sheltered behind a breakwater. Officials think a passing ship caused a swell and a suction of water. The Port reported the accident to the Coast Guard, and it also hired maritime professionals to investigate. Ms Newman said the Port will file a claim with the owner of the vessel and help boat owners do the same thing.
The Port of Kalama is on the Washington side of the Columbia, about halfway between Portland, Oregon, and the Pacific. The Port recently spent $4.5 million to upgrade the marina. The Columbia has a deep-draft channel there for commercial shipping; the Port of Kalama is home to some 30 industries.
A major recreation center, the Port has miles of parks and bike baths, and many public beaches for swimming, windsurfing and fishing. It also is home to both the largest grain elevator and the largest totem pole in the Pacific Northwest. Read more:
