By Karen Robes Meeks
With the help of the state’s dredging machine The Laura, the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay recently wrapped up dredging work at the Port of Garibaldi with the removal of 32,000 cubic yards of material from its boat launch and marina.
The dredging was necessary for Garibaldi, which saw ships “sitting on bottom at low tide, preventing them from getting underway when the tide was out,” according to the Port of Coos Bay, which stationed six of its staff members in the area to work with Garibaldi port staff.
The Port of Coos Bay operates The Laura on behalf of the state, which purchased the Ellicot-360SL swing ladder suction dredge in 2015 to meet essential dredging needs at Oregon ports.
Coos Bay also operates the state-acquired Ms. SoCo, a 30-foot twin outboard vessel equipped with a one-ton crane that serves as tender to The Laura.