When Jim Patton took over as executive director for the Port of Coupeville, one of the first things he wanted to do was survey the facilities.

After examining them, he discovered several thousand dollars are needed to repair the Coupeville Wharf.

Patton rattled off a laundry list of repairs needed to help the aging facility during last Wednesday’s Port meeting. The marine survey of the facility took place last month.

Needed repairs range from replacing missing tire floats to adding corrosion protection to recently installed floats.

It turns out 17 tire floats need replacing from the various floats. Patton said the missing floats affect the buoyancy of the floats and stress the hinges separating them.

Also, zinc protection needs to be added on two floats that were installed in early 2003. The zinc helps protect the galvanized steel floats from corrosion.

Several pilings at the wharf also need replacing.

The zinc protection is expected to cost $300, while the work replacing the tire floats could cost $7,500.

Patton said the replacement work is expensive because the company, based out of Battle Ground, would have to be paid for travel, per diem and salary for a two-day project. He’s looking for a different company or better deal from the one he’s dealt with so far.

To pay for the project, the port’s budget would have to be adjusted to come up with the money.

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