October 2024

Update: The Newport Bay Trash Interceptor

By Marshall ’Duffy’ Duffield

Believe it or not

After six long years since the first funding dollars arrived to build the water wheel machine there is real progress. The two main hulls or barges they like to call them, are complete.  The idea behind this is to capture trash coming down the San Diego creek that empties into our bay, automatically.  The ingenious design captures the trash and dumps it into a large bin using an electric motor that will be solar powered. 

Here are the two pontoon type hulls that will be joined together with a conveyor belt between to pull the trash up and out of the water where it will then drop into a large trash container.  CR&R is a local environmental service company and has offered to pick up and dispose of the trash at no charge to the city.  CR&R also offered up to one million dollars to help construct the wheel, but ultimately the funding came from the state.  The owner of CR&R is a resident of Newport and obviously loves our harbor.  

The first photo below shows the forward-facing section of the barge.  The water will flow around and thru these two barges.  Next week the barges will be set on blocks and assembled to locate and properly alien the conveyor strut.  After that they will get 2 coats of epoxy, and they will be done.

These are being manufactured by RPS Barge Company in Kentucky.   We are hoping to install and be operational by the end of October this year.   With this new exciting progress, I believe we are getting close to the finish line!  

Duffy Duffield

Inaugural Issue No.01

More of What’s Inside

State of the Bay

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In a follow-up to our NHF Luncheon held May 15th, 2024 @ Newport Harbor Yacht Club with about 150 people in attendance I am here to report that we received many compliments on the presentation that was made with regard to the State of the Harbor.

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The Moorings

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