High winds and tide set structure adrift on deep river

Mid December’s high tide, rain and high winds combined to move a boat housing structure off its moorings and afloat on Deep River. The structure had been a many decades old fixture on Deep River that once served as a floating garage for the gillnet boat owned and operated by Walter Cato. Once afloat, the wind and incoming tide sent the structure toward the area that was once the town of Deep River. Along its journey it caused damage to a dock owned by Deep River resident Mark Erickson.

The property, purchased from Cato’s descendants, is now owned by Ms. Kenadee Cave who resides in Las Vegas, NV. Cave had contracted with Pacific Realty of Long Beach, WA, to both market the property and provide property management services that include the house which is currently being rented out. When notified the structure had broken loose, Todd Brophy, a broker for the company, used his kayak to approach the floating structure and secure it to pilings along the west shore bank. Not long after, it collapsed.

According to Leslie Brophy, also a broker for the company, Cave was notified, and she has reportedly contacted her insurance company. As yet, it is unknown what steps will be taken to remove the collapsed structure from the river and, in the meantime, ensure that it will not cause damage to a dock located a short distance away as well as a nearby float house and Deep River’s long-standing wooden bridge.