Mobile cranes are again being used at the Beachport boatyard in order to return the 30 professional lobster vessels to the ocean in time for the opening of the 2023/24 season on September 1.
As occurred a year ago, two large cranes manned by four personnel are manoeuvring each boat from their winter resting place into position on the slipway where they can be winched by cables into the water.
The task is usually undertaken by Department of Infrastructure and Transport personnel who man a straddle carrier with slings.
As the straddle carrier has yet to be repaired, a Millicent firm has again been engaged by DIT to supply the alternative cranes and personnel.
The first vessel to be returned to the water was the “Anthea Jay” whose home port is Southend.
As it has a dry dock which allows for painting and other maintenance activities, the Beachport boatyard attracts vessels from along the coast each winter.
For many years, Beachport District Council and its successor Wattle Range Council were contracted by DIT to run the boatyard.
A DIT spokesperson said the State Government agency was looking at solutions.
“All options continue to be considered to replace or repair the straddle carrier at the Beachport boatyard, including investigating available contractors and materials, to deliver the best outcome for stakeholders,” the spokesperson said.
“A decision on the best option is expected in coming weeks.
“Cranes are continuing to be used to launch, retrieve and move vessels around the boatyard at the department’s cost while the straddle carrier is unavailable.
“There is no cost, outside of the flat fee, for fishers.”
There have been other equipment failures at the boatyard in recent years.
Four years ago, around 20 boats from Beachport and Southend had to stay on the water for up to three extra months as a broken winch restricted them from being hauled out of the sea via the slipway.
The commercial lobster fishers are charged around $5000 per year to store their boats at the Beachport boatyard.
The fees for storage, slipping, straddle carrier use and boat movements in boatyards at Port MacDonnell, Beachport and Kingscote on Kangaroo Island are charged to recover some of the costs associated with the operation and administration of these facilities.
