New Carissa
According to the photographer, “On February 4, 1999, the New Carissa was bound for the Port of Coos Bay, Oregon to pick up a load of wood chips.
The ship’s crew was informed by the local bar pilots that weather conditions would prevent the ship (which was empty at the time) from entering Coos Bay harbor until the next morning. The captain ordered the ship to drop anchor 1.7 nautical miles (3.1 km) off the coast in order to ride out the storm. The crew used a single anchor to secure the ship, and according to a United States Coast Guard review of the incident, used a chain that was too short. The short chain and the weather conditions, including winds of 20–25 knots (37–46 km/h), caused the ship to drag its anchor. Poor navigational techniques and inadequate watchkeeping led to the crew’s failure to notice that the ship was moving. Once movement was detected, the crew attempted to raise anchor and maneuver away from the shore, but the weather and sea conditions made this difficult. By the time the anchor was raised, the ship had been pushed too close to the shore to recover.” After an unsuccessful attempt to tow the ship, the fuel was burned off. However, “a significant amount was also spilled from thewreckage, causing ecological damage to the coastline.
Long Description:
On February 4th the empty M/V New Carissa lay anchor to wait out a storm that barred them entry to Coos Bay. The anchor chain used was reported to have been to short and in the storm the ship moved in to close to shore and was unable to get back to sea. Plans to re-float the ship were dropped when damage to the hull and oil leaks were discovered. The Ship was declared a total loss on the 10th of February after the hull breached hull and sea water destroyed the ships engines. Out of environmental safety concerns a decision was made to burn off as much fuel as possible. The most effective burn was made on the 11th when and estimated 165,000 to 255,000 gallons was burned off in a 33 hour period. This fire and the continued bad weather caused the ship to break into two sections on the night of the 11th. On March 2nd the 440 foot section of the bow was re-floated and towed to sea for disposal. It broke free in another storm 40 miles out to sea and beached itself again after a 14 hour journey near Waldport Oregon about 80 miles to the north of where the stern still rested at its original shipwreck site. A week later the bow was towed 248 miles to sea and sunk by two navy ships in 10,000 feet of water.
The stern remained defiant to removal efforts. Nine years after the shipwreck final plans to remove the ship are in place and by the end of 2008 the visible remains of the ship should be gone. Approximately 40 feet of the stern is estimated to be under the sand and some of the underwater portions of the ship may remain in place if efforts to remove them are ussucessful
Sources:
Wikipedia (good photos & history) (visit link)
Oregon Live (photo galleries + time line of events) (visit link)
Official NOAA report (visit link)
A Guide to the Oregon Coast (visit link)
On February 4th the empty M/V New Carissa lay anchor to wait out a storm that barred them entry to Coos Bay. The anchor chain used was reported to have been to short and in the storm the ship moved in to close to shore and was unable to get back to sea. Plans to re-float the ship were dropped when damage to the hull and oil leaks were discovered. The Ship was declared a total loss on the 10th of February after the hull breached hull and sea water destroyed the ships engines. Out of environmental safety concerns a decision was made to burn off as much fuel as possible. The most effective burn was made on the 11th when and estimated 165,000 to 255,000 gallons was burned off in a 33 hour period. This fire and the continued bad weather caused the ship to break into two sections on the night of the 11th. On March 2nd the 440 foot section of the bow was re-floated and towed to sea for disposal. It broke free in another storm 40 miles out to sea and beached itself again after a 14 hour journey near Waldport Oregon about 80 miles to the north of where the stern still rested at its original shipwreck site. A week later the bow was towed 248 miles to sea and sunk by two navy ships in 10,000 feet of water.
The stern remained defiant to removal efforts. Nine years after the shipwreck final plans to remove the ship are in place and by the end of 2008 the visible remains of the ship should be gone. Approximately 40 feet of the stern is estimated to be under the sand and some of the underwater portions of the ship may remain in place if efforts to remove them are ussucessful
Sources:
Wikipedia (good photos & history) (visit link)
Oregon Live (photo galleries + time line of events) (visit link)
Official NOAA report (visit link)
A Guide to the Oregon Coast (visit link)
Date of Shipwreck: February 4th, 1999 Type of Boat: Other Military or Civilian: Civilian Cause of Shipwreck: The freighter ran aground during a storm. A Coast Guard investigation lay the blame on "captain error". Accessibility: Currently viewable on the beach. The wreck is to be dismantled in the summer of 2008 and the ship will be removed by October. UPDATE: The wreck's removal was successful and the only thing remaining of the New Carissa at this location is memories. Diving Permitted: no |
Visit Instructions:
Only log the site if you have visited it personally.
Floating over a site does not qualify as a find if it is a wreck that requires diving - you must have actually visited the site - therefore photos of the site are good.
Only log the site if you have visited it personally.
Floating over a site does not qualify as a find if it is a wreck that requires diving - you must have actually visited the site - therefore photos of the site are good.
