COOS BAY - As the removal date for the New Carissa moves closer, Downtown Coos Bay suddenly becomes involved in the removal process.

"I received a phone call from Titan Marine, who is contracted to remove the New Carissa. They were given the city's name because we have property along the waterfront that maybe could be available to them for a staging area," says Coos Bay City Manager Chuck Freeman.

"Originally we planned on using a Sause Bros facility over at Cape Arago, but in talking with them, with the wind and the weather, they suggested we go to the city," says Titan Marine Director of Engineering Phil Reed.

The company inked a six week lease agreement with the city earlier this week, and began moving it's equipment, which included a large crane, in on Tuesday.

"We have a lot of work to do. The barges have been towed from the Dominican Republic."

Reed says they'll use the land as a staging area to build two barges which will be used during the removal of the ship.

"Each barge has six legs, they're actually jack up barges, so they can jack themselves completely out of the water. So one of the big chores will be to weld those back together," says Reed.

From the city's perspective, Freeman says the lease agreement provides an economic bonus for the area.

"They're staying in our local hotels in Coos Bay, that's one benefit. We did lease them this land for six weeks which is great. But it's really just an opportunity for our city."

As for the removal of the ship itself, Reed says he's ready to get started.

"If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't be here. But it will be a very difficult job we know that. We think we can do it, we know it's gonna take a long time."

Reed says the barges will take four to six weeks to build, after that, they'll wait for good weather to move them to the New Carissa site.