CROCKETT, CALIF. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District snagged more than 50 tons of hazardous debris floating near the Carquinez Bridge June 6.
– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District snaggedmore than 50 tons of hazardous debris floating near the Carquinez Bridge June 6.
Notified by a local resident who reported the debris to the Army Corps’ Sausalito Base Yard, crewmembers from the MV Raccoon and MV John A. B. Dillard, Jr., arrived on scene at approximately 8:30 a.m. The scattered debris represented wreckage from a damaged pier along the Crockett Waterfront that had caught fire Jan. 15.
“It was only a matter of time before the pier would break loose in the water,” said Kixon Meyer, captain of the MV John A. B. Dillard, Jr. “A good tide could have easily blocked the strait with that much debris floating around.”
The day-long debris-removal mission involved pulling the wreckage out of the water using pedestal-mounted grapple cranes. According to Meyer, the debris proved challenging to stack on deck as the pieces were still bolted together.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., the two crews completed the removal and returned back to the Sausalito Base Yard. The debris was offloaded there today and will later be processed for permanent disposal.
The MV Raccoon, a World War II-vintage aircraft recovery vessel, and the MV John A. B. Dillard, Jr., christened on June 25, 2010, combine to remove more than 1,200 tons of debris annually from San Francisco-San Pablo Bay Area.
One of the missions of the San Francisco District is to keep the federal channels clear of hazardous debris and safe for the maritime community. Report floating hazards when you see them by calling 415-332-0334.