WALDPORT – The Port of Alsea has launched its new kayak launch.
The floating launch was tested last week by Port commissioner Jan Power, who put her kayak into the water by herself and used elements of it designed for people with handicaps.
The new launch is off the gangway and floating walkway that leads to the crabbing area of the Port’s new $3 million marina.
Between boaters, commercial crabbers and recreational crabbers using the popular dock, it has been difficult for kayakers to launch in the marina. That forced most to use Robinson Beach farther to the west in the bay with kayakers hauling gear through a park and launching from the beach.
Now, when they use the Port’s launch, kayakers are asked to park at the east end of the Port’s lot, unload their craft and gear and then park elsewhere, said Port manager Roxie Cuellar.
Cuellar believes it is just the second handicapped-accessible kayak launch on the Oregon coast. The other is in Seaside.
“There just aren’t very many of them,” she said.
The launch cost $45,000, with $28,000 of that coming from a grant by the Oregon State Marine Board.
The launch was initially supposed to be purchased and installed early this year when the rest of the marina’s walkways and boat slips were constructed. But the Port didn’t get a grant from Travel Oregon as expected and by the time its board decided to proceed, the fabrication and delivery time was five months out.
The launch was built and installed by Oregon Marine Construction, under contract with Bergerson Construction of Astoria, the general contractor for the marina project.
Once they launch their kayaks, paddlers can head under the gangway and out to the main part of Alsea Bay. The Port plans to replace the debris boom immediately to the east of the launch and crabbing platform, Cuellar said, and will remove one section to allow easy and direct access east to Lint Slough, a popular kayak destination.
Overall, Cuellar said the 7-month-old marina makeover has been a hit with boaters – especially the double-lane boat launch – and people using the 10-foot wide walkway on the east side of the marina set aside for recreational crabbing.
