War on wrecks counts down to 1000th recovery
Queensland’s four-year assault on abandoned boats nears landmark numberQueensland’s war on wrecks is counting down to remove its 1000th derelict boat from the state’s waters.
The $20 million, four-year plan to remove the waterway’s eyesores, launched in 2018, removed just 21 derelict boats last year, with the task force’s focus shifting to rolling out prevention programs to stop more boats from being abandoned.
The boats removed under the program to date range from 4.0 metres to 12.0 metres, with a mix of recreational boats including speed boats, sailboats, houseboats and cabin cruisers have been hauled out of the water and scrapped.
Efforts on the Good Coast have concentrated on boats in Currigee, Labrador, Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point, with another 11 slated for removal this year.
Gold Coast Waterways Authority chief executive Chris Derksema said it had removed a total of 154 abandoned watercraft in collaboration with Maritime Safety Queensland.
“We work closely with Maritime Safety Queensland to identify and monitor abandoned vessels, which includes identifying owners and encouraging them to take responsibility in the first instance,” Derksema said.
“Where the owners fail to remove a vessel, the next appropriate measure is to remove and destroy it while seeking cost recovery from the owner.
Boaters who spot what they believe is an abandoned vessel can report it either by email at mail@gcwa.qld.gov.au or phone on 07 5539 7350.
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