State waterways authorities are “working with” the owner of a houseboat to salvage the partially sunken vessel in the Maroochy River.
The 12.4m Bad Habits was rocked by wild weather three weeks ago, when a severe thunderstorm cell dumped hundreds of millimetres of rain on the region in a matter of hours.
The boat has remained partly submerged since, prompting at least one Sunshine Coast News reader to ask what will happen to it, and whether it was adversely affecting the river.
“We have a houseboat that has sunk and is now polluting our waterway with its sump soilage and rotting components,” Maroochydore’s Neville Nark said via a letter to the editor.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the state government was in talks with the houseboat’s owner to address it.
“Maritime Safety Queensland is working with the owner with a view to having the vessel salvaged, while providing reasonable timeframes and ensuring marine safety,” they said.
The spokesperson explained the process surrounding defective and ruined boats.
“Vessel owners are always responsible for their vessels, including repairing or removing damaged or unseaworthy vessels from Queensland’s waters,” they said.
“When a vessel sinks, Maritime Safety Queensland will generally work with the owner to advise and assist them to meet their legal obligations to arrange salvage and, if necessary, remove the vessel.”
The spokesperson said legal action could be taken if boat owners failed to comply.
“Where vessel owners fail to take responsibility, the state government may step in to take action and recover costs from the owner,” they said.
“This may include taking legal action against the owner in the District Court.”
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They said action must be taken on affected boats, as they pose risks to waterway users and threaten the local ecosystem.
“MSQ prioritises action on sunken vessels that pose a navigational safety or marine pollution risk, primarily through any fuel or oil stored onboard,” they said.
“Such vessels will generally be removed after MSQ has taken whatever action it deems necessary to ensure navigational safety for other vessels and to mitigate the pollution risk.”
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson detailed the incident on February 16.
They said officers from Queensland Water Police first noticed the houseboat, which was anchored in the river, appeared to be listing to one side.
They contacted the owner “who stated that he would attend to the matter”.
It’s believed the vessel partially sunk about 100m off Bradman Avenue and adjacent to Buna Street, due to water ingress from extensive rain and possible bilge pump failure.
Water Police were called into action to help people from the boat.
“Initially, no persons were onboard when Water Police first notified the owner,” the QPS spokesperson said.
“However, the owner later called Water Police to assist as they were unable to rectify the situation. Water Police attended and transported two occupants ashore.
“The incident was reported and is under the control of Maritime Safety Queensland.”
There is only one other vessel in the greater region that requires attention. It is off Bribie Island.
“MSQ will engage a contractor to remove this vessel, using funding under the state government’s War on Wrecks program, and will seek recovery costs from the owner,” the spokesperson said.
The $35m program, established in 2018, was designed to remove derelict and illegally dumped vessels from Queensland waterways.
Maritime Safety Queensland has been investigating the root causes of vessel abandonment and working with partner agencies and owners to remove or rectify derelict vessels around Queensland.
MSQ stated in January that there were 1300 fewer derelict vessels in Queensland waterways as a result of the program.
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