A Piece of Debris Plucked per Minute in Recent Newport Harbor Dive

Last week, the Newport harbormaster, two divers, an underwater robot, support crew and other officials descended at Ann Street Pier. The plan: collect data. And marine debris.

As U2 lead singer Bono’s hulking pleasure yacht at the adjacent dock loomed over the operation, the team went below the surface and steadily started plucking debris from the bottom of Newport Harbor.

Tires, bottles, cans, clothes, a gun shell, lobster traps, a fork, the bottom of a toilet, a rubber snake and a quarter-ton more stuff came up in just 90 minutes.

In all, 91 small to medium-sized marine debris objects totaling 500 pounds in an area of 400 square feet was discovered -- a worrying amount of garbage found in such a small area in such a short amount of time.

While concerned, many of the officials who gathered at Ann Street Pier on this day were actually feeling upbeat. Along with the trash being collected was data, which will be used in the formation of a new, multi-year Newport Harbor Cleanup project plan.

The plan is the fruit of a dovetailing of efforts between three groups: Clean Ocean Access, the Newport Maritime Alliance and the city’s Newport Waterfront Commission.

The shared vision is a healthy harbor free of marine debris, safe for swimming and accessible to the public.

The multi-year plan is in the early stages and the public will be tapped for ideas, support and feedback. Schools, other nonprofits, community groups and businesses and foundations will be approached. And in the end, fewer toilet parts, bait containers and rolls of duct tape will be strewn about on the bottom of the harbor.

“We are excited to be part of this project!” said Dave McLaughlin, executive director of Clean Ocean Acess.

He said that they’re now in the initial planning stages of launching the “Marine Debris Solutions Lifecycle Project” from Fort Adams to Melville Boat Basin.

That project is being funded with support from 11th Hour Racing and “will focus on shoreline marine debris and engaging the sailing and marine community in this important effort,” McLaughlin said.

“Together, both projects will help to create a community that is transformed via education, empowerment and inspiration to promote long-lasting environmental stewardship to maintain in perpetuity the health of the harbor and our shorelines.”

The July 14 gathering was made possible through a public and private partnership. Hymie Beaufort of The Dive Shop prepared the gear for the two divers and Patrick Donovan and Chris Loftus from Meridian Ocean Services prepared the remote operating vehicle to assist.

Dave Wesner and Daphne Forester positioned an Oldport Marine Services vessel nearby to collect debris. Harbormaster Tim MIlls kept an eye on the surrounding waters to make sure the coast stayed clear.

The ROV supplied real-time video to the team on the dock, which included representatives from U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office, who then relayed the info to the divers.

Here’s a breakdown of what was collected:

• 4 plastic beverage bottles.
• 23 glass beverage bottles.
• 16 beverage cans.
• 3 articles of clothes or shoes.
• 9 cups or plates.
• 1 gun shell.
• 3 bait containers.
• 2 buoys.
• 3 traps
• 2 tarps
• 1 rope.
• 5 tires.
• 2 mats
• 3 gloves
• 2 pieces of plastic

One each of the following

• Silver fork.
• Mason jar.
• Diving fin.
• Duct tape roll.
• Ceramic bowl.
• Metal pipe.
• 20-foot PVC pipe.
• Bottom of toilet.
• Fishing pole.
• a “no docking anytime” sign.
• rubber snake
• bracelet

The Newport Harbor Cleanup project plan is expected to be drafted this fall.

Photo courtesy: City of Newport