Leaders for the Port of Coupeville are trying to get the moorage buoys out on Penn Cove in time for the busy part of the boating season.

The Commissioners for the Port of Coupeville held a special meeting last week to approve a contract with Onalaska, Wash. based Alpha Marine Installation to replace the anchors for the Port’s four buoys.

Port of Coupeville Executive Director Jim Patton said it will cost an estimated $10,000 to replace the anchors.

A diver hired by the Port of Coupeville removes the buoys in the fall so they don’t get battered by the severe winter weather. When the diver was removing the buoys from the 2,000-pound concrete anchors, he noticed the steel rings had basically rusted away and needed to be replaced.

Patton included the project on the ports construction, maintenance and repair list and solicited bids for the new anchors.

He said Alpha Marine Installation was the only company to submit a bid and it came in close to the Port’s estimate.

The four new anchors will be helix-shaped with a large ring on top, Patton said, noting that they will be more environmentally friendly than the current anchors. Once installed, the new buoys will be able to accommodate boats up to 36 feet long.

Patton said he hopes the new anchors will be installed this week, which means the new buoys will be available for the busy part of the summer boating season.

Oak Harbor’s Race Week takes place July 14-19 and the moorage buoys are popular with boaters who want to see the races in Penn Cove.