Question: I want to know why the Charleston Boat Basin docks and fish cleaning station are in such deplorable condition. The docks where the boats tie up are always an inch deep in bird droppings and the fish cleaning tables are encrusted in filth. The docks are so dirty many boaters are putting towels in the boat to step on. The cleaning tables are so dirty it would be risky to put fish fillets on them. Is this how the port wants to represent our area to visitors?
Answer: The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has tried to deal with the gulls and guano they leave everywhere, said port spokesman Martin Callery.
The port has four full-time maintenance employees for its operations at the Charleston Marina, the Charleston Marina RV Park and the Charleston Shipyard, he said.
Callery explained that the employees, working under the direction of a foreman, handle a broad scope of tasks, which include repair and maintenance of all buildings, roads, docks, sidewalks and other infrastructure.
Ongoing tasks include plumbing, carpentry and electrical repairs, assisting with lifting and moving boats and scraping and washing boat hulls in the shipyard, monitoring daily usage at the marina and shipyard and at upland storage areas, power washing docks, ramps and sidewalks, restroom maintenance, trash collection, sorting recycled materials, and dumpster transport, landscape maintenance, repair and upkeep of all floating and fixed dock structures from both the dock and from work boats, inventory, restocking and transport of all supplies, enforcing marina and shipyard best management practices, customer service and emergency response when required.
The port also hires two or three seasonal employees in summer months to help with the increased workload.
All of the main mooring docks in both the inner and outer boat basins get power washed at least once a year. The launch ramp boarding floats get power washed at least once or twice a month in the summer season, as necessary to clean up droppings from marine birds and mammals that are constant visitors in the coastal region.
The fish cleaning stations get a thorough cleaning in early April of each year to start off the season, and are cleaned at least once a month during the summer; although high usage during tuna season often requires more frequent cleaning. Fish cleaning station users are asked to please be courteous of other users and clean up after themselves. Running water is available at the fish cleaning stations to help with clean up.
Visitors to Charleston and users of the port’s Charleston facilities are encouraged to contact the Marine Facilities Manager in the marina office to report problems, make suggestions or complement the staff on anything they are doing right, Callery said.
But about the bird poo.
The port’s Board of Commissioners approved a “Pest Management Policy” in April, which provides information and suggested deterrence methods for seals and sea lions, cats and dogs, and ocean birds.
Gulls are the big problem.
Wherever there is a warm open area — specifically the new launch ramp with its plastic wood construction or pilings on docks, especially G dock and H dock in the inner basin — gulls hang out there and, well, do what gulls do.
Callery quoted the port’s “Action Plan: During the peak times, port maintenance staff routinely power wash the docks and ramps. Last year fake owls were strategically placed to discourage gulls from landing. They were somewhat effective. When the docks are full of moored vessels, and there is activity on the docks, fewer birds settle. Cones put on pilings on the docks discourage them from landing. With the mild success of the fake owls, staff found a source for predatory bird kites. Rotation placements of these bird kites on poles will also be used to discourage them (seagulls).
“Staff continues to explore other opportunities that will discourage gulls from circling and landing.”
Any more suggestions? Share them with port staff.