Scientists: Boat on Oregon Shore Likely Tsunami Debris

Scientists say a 30-foot boat that washed ashore on Gleneden Beach on the central Oregon coast appears to be debris from the March 2011 Japan tsunami.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department spokesman Rick Boatner says it is believed to have been a support vessel for a commercial fishing boat.

The boat was found Tuesday – hull up – embedded in the sand with most of the hull exposed.

The Fish and Wildlife department says two of its biologists who looked at the boat feel it poses very little risk in terms of possible invasive species.

Boatner told The Oregonian that 99 percent of the vessel is covered in gooseneck barnacles, which climb aboard in the open ocean. Several other marine organisms are also present.

Boatner says Oregon Parks and Recreation will deal with removing the boat.