The salvage ordered by Maritime Safety Queensland of an abandoned boat in the passage was cause for much interest by locals and visitors alike last Friday on the Bongaree foreshore. According to Mike Clayton, general manager of Clayton’s Towing, it was a recovery job that required careful planning and execution to achieve the right outcome.
Photo Credit: June Payne
“The boat estimate weight was 12 tonne, but being submerged there had to be an allowance for extra weight with all the timber etc inside being wet,” said Mike. “The bottom of the boat was split open, so there was too much risk involved in trying to refloat it, and it going wrong and sinking in the channel.
The time spent was to protect the retaining wall, tree’s pathways etc. A basic slipway was built up the wall and a heavy tow truck was position well away from the wall. “The boat was winched in and up the slipway onto the foreshore. From there it was winched onto the semitrailer tilt tray. “The area was sandy so large steel plates were used to assist equipment to move on.
Tania and Roz enjoying a bike ride back from Woorim, stopped with many others to watch the boat being lifted from the water.
The process took the day, but we wanted to ensure the process was completed safely, as well as making sure no damage was caused to any public property. The job was a total success, with the boat taken off to scrap metal yards,” he said.