State department begins removing abandoned and derelict vessels from Oregon waterways with new funds

For the first time, the Oregon Department of State Lands has millions of dollars to remove abandoned and derelict vessels  from state waterways. The department previously had to request money from the Common School Fund for cleanups, but the state Legislature granted it $18.8 million in June to address the growing number of hazardous vessels. The funding will also be used to develop a statewide program to identify, prioritize and oversee vessel removals.

Crews recently removed the Tiffany from the Columbia River near Rainier, Oregon. The 86-foot former fishing vessel is the first to be removed and deconstructed using the new funds.

Chris Castelli is acting deputy director of operations at the Department of State Lands. Bob Dorn is the CEO of Hyak Maritime, which is housing the Tiffany as it’s deconstructed. They join us to talk about the new funding and what it takes to remove potentially hazardous vehicles from state waterways.

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