On Saturday, more than 6,000 pounds of debris was cleared from the Dana Point Harbor during the annual underwater cleanup.
The event was part of California Coastal Cleanup day where volunteers across the state walked the sands to ensure the beaches were clean. In Dana Point, cleanups were scheduled for Capistrano Beach, Salt Creek Beach, Doheny State Beach and the San Juan Creek.
At the Harbor, more than 80 divers brought up items like a TV, two small boats, anchors, a marine toilet, batteries and more.
Above the water, 60 volunteers helped the divers along the docks.
Overall, the event cleaned 180,000 square feet of the Harbor at the West Basin “F” Dock.
Kelly Rinderknecht, coordinator for the Harbor event and general manager at Dana West Marina, said this was the best event yet.
“We’ve had the best turnout, a big haul, there was a lot of heavy items in the haul,” Rinderknecht said. “We had a really good group this year, everyone’s been so excited.”
Prizes were given out for categories such as “Most Humorous Find,” “Whale of a Find,” “Fishiest Find” and “Most Useful Find.”
Running alongside the underwater cleanup was a cigarette butt roundup. More than 50 volunteers walked along to pick up 275 pounds of trash from the Marina and park areas throughout the Harbor.
Sophie Kharileh from Laguna Niguel volunteered with other members of the National Charity League Capo Coast Chapter picked up more than 400 cigarette butts.
In total, volunteers throughout the city collected 8,410 pounds of trash and recyclables during the cleanup, according to Julia Williams, director of Cleanup OC with the Orange County Coastkeeper.
At the Dana Point Yacht Club, 60.84 pounds of trash and 1..3 pounds of recyclables were collected. At Dana Point Marine Protected area, 43 pounds of trash and 15 pounds of recyclables were collected. At Doheny State Beach and San Juan Creek 1,000 pounds of trash and 100 pounds of recyclables were collected.
At Salt Creek Beach 350 pounds of trash and 200 pounds of recyclables were collected. At Capistrano State Beach 75 pounds of trash and 40 pounds of recyclables were collected.
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
A diver prepares to look for trash in the Dana Point Harbor during the underwater cleanup on California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
A diver found a bucket during the Dana Point Harbor underwater cleanup as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
A diver found a bucket during the Dana Point Harbor underwater cleanup as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
Divers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
Connor Berry Hill and Jaden Collins-Gottfried prepared to dive during the underwater cleanup in the Dana Point Harbor. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
DIvers found various items in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual underwater cleanup during California Coastal Cleanup Day. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
Sophie Kharileh volunteered with other members of the National Charity League Capo Coast Chapter during the cigarette cleanup at Dana Point Harbor as part of the California Coastal Cleanup.
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