Harbour staff take action to stop boat sinking

Locally-registered boat Seas The Moment is a wooden-built vessel. One staff member on the scene estimated it to be about 65ft in length.

She was moored on the Swan pontoons, but moved to the Careening Hard following concerns that arose on Tuesday morning when one of the boat’s mooring cleats gave way in the high easterly winds and it broke free.

‘Harbour staff re-secured the boat but, during subsequent security and safety checks, it became apparent that water was entering the vessel’s bilge,’ said harbour master Captain David Barker.

Staff could not figure out how the water was getting in and salvage pumps were rigged up to keep the boat afloat.

‘With worsening weather conditions, and after removing six tonnes of grey water from the bilges, it became apparent that the salvage pumps were unable to contain the water level.’

The boat had been scheduled to be taken to Marine & General’s yard, but after being on the Swan pontoons a week or so ago, its engines could not be started.

‘In consultation with the owner, the decision was made to move the vessel onto the Careening Hard to allow a better assessment of her condition,’ said Captain Barker.

‘This removes the risk of her sinking on the pontoons and the likely total loss of the vessel and the associated pollution risk.

‘Now in daylight, the vessel’s condition is being assessed before a further course of action is determined.’