While Finavera's Buoy Sinks, Hopes of Harnessing Ocean Energy Survive

November 8, 2007

While Finavera's Buoy Sinks, Hopes of Harnessing Ocean Energy Survive

by Miriam Widman

Just hours before its scheduled removal, AquaBuOY 2.0 has sunk.

Finavera Renewable's 72-foot high wave energy test buoy went down in about 115 feet of water on Oct. 27, just one day before it was to be removed from its location in the waters off of Lincoln County, a part of the Central Oregon Coast. The device had been deployed on September 6.

While company officials say they don't know exactly why it sunk, Finavera Renewable's spokesman Mike Clark said, "It seems to have something to do with the float section of the device." He said the buoy began taking on water and the bilge pump "couldn't keep up with the amount of water it was taking on." The pump failed and the device went down. "We're pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the power-generating technology," Clark said.

Both Clark and Finavera's Portland-based VP for Business Development, Kevin Bannister, do not believe foul play was involved; saying that the company has excellent relations with local officials and the fishing community.

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