Fake Orca Used to Scare Sea Lions in Oregon Town Flops

— -- It's a whale of a tale.

An Oregon fishing community tried to use a life-size replica of an orca to scare off thousands of sea lions that clogged up the docks, but the effort came to a sudden halt when the whale capsized.

Robert Evert, the Permit and Project Manager of the Port of Astoria, tells ABC News that at least 2,000 sea lions hang out on the boat docks and vessels, impacting the local and regional economy.

“We’re losing probably $50,000 plus a year in revenue based on the sea lions occupying the docks and have $200,000 in damage,” Evert said. “They’re not only injuring the port docks but they’re decimating the smelt and salmon migrations.”

The Port of Astoria came to an agreement with one of its whale-watching tenants to use a fake, life-size killer whale to scare the sea lions. The creative solution, launched yesterday, was effective at first, until the 35-foot fiber glass and foam whale was hit by the wake of a 60-foot cargo ship.

"The wake from the ship caused it [the orca] to roll over so far over that water started flooding the whale," Evert said. "The instant the driver of the orca said he had problems, the port maintenance crew was right there and made a fantastic rescue."

Damage to the orca, which is piloted, is being assessed. Evert hopes to launch the vessel again in the near future.

“I’m hoping to have them come back in the fall,” Evert said, “At that point we’ll verify that all repairs have been made.”