Boat debris from Japan’s 2011 tsunami spotted off Oregon

Devastation after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Image by Climate and Ecosystems / CC BY 2.0

A 25ft-long chunk of fibreglass boat spotted drifting off the central Oregon coast is believed to be debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami.

Chris Havel, of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, said the debris was spotted a few miles offshore. A team of Oregon state agencies is working to retrieve the vessel chunk before it reaches land.

The plan is to tow the boat segment to the port of Newport for temporary storage. Mr Havel said it will be removed from the water, studied, dismantled and taken to a landfill site. Several live yellowtail jack fish on board will be delivered to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

(Press Association)