Dock of fame: Tsunami debris attracts visitors to Newport

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 12, 2012 at 11:58 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 12, 2012 at 12:41 PM PDT
Dock of fame: Tsunami debris attracts visitors to Newport
This June 6, 2012 photo shows Sue Odierno, of Salishan, Ore., looking at the massive dock from Japan that washed ashore on Agate Beach near Newport, Ore. Scientists are concerned that tsunami debris like this could be a new avenue for invasive species arriving on the West Coast (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

NEWPORT, Ore. (AP) — The Japanese dock that was washed away in last year's tsunami and landed on the Oregon coast last week is attracting thousands of visitors to Agate Beach near Newport.

Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation spokesman Chris Havel says 11,000 cars were counted at the Agate Beach parking lot from Wednesday through Sunday.

In comparison, the beach gets 400 cars on a typical Saturday.

The Oregonian reports park officials are taking bids from companies to remove or destroy the 66-foot, 132-ton dock.

The bidding will close on Wednesday.

  • PHOTO GALLERY: Derelict dock from Japan lands on Oregon beach

___

Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press