Wanganui steamer on dry land | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

The PS Waimarie is back on the skids - but only for a couple of weeks.

Funding from the Wanganui District Council, Powerco Wanganui Trust and the Whanganui Community Foundation gave the green light for the paddle steamer's first ever 10-year survey.

Whanganui Riverboat Centre crew piloted the 80-tonne vessel to dry dock at Q-West in Castlecliff yesterday, where it will undergo the mandatory survey.

Q-West director and Waimarie Transitional Trust Board member Myles Fothergill said he was not anticipating any problems and predicted the riverboat would be back on the Whanganui River within a fortnight.

"It should be pretty much a formality. She's in fairly good nick," Mr Fothergill said yesterday.

Maritime regulations dictate the vessel requires an annual in-water survey (or warrant of fitness), a 30-month out-of-water survey and a major survey every 10 years.

"This will be her third time out of the water since being launched in January 2000 and all have been here at Q-West. However, the board is looking to get an exemption for the 30-month out-of-water survey and do that while it is still in the water to help reduce costs and provide a more streamlined system," Mr Fothergill said.

"She isn't a shaft-driven vessel like most boats of her size and there are only two underwater valves to be checked, so that survey can be done out of water."

The 10-year survey budget has been set at $193,000, although there is a chance it could come under budget.

"Much of the work is maintenance, painting and checking the paddle wheels, which will be done by the Riverboat Centre staff, which will help save money and keep them in employment," Mr Fothergill said.

Q-West is doing its bit to help reduce costs by not charging margins for any parts required.

"The $193,000 budget is not extravagant, when you break it down. When that's divvied up over 10 years it works out to $19,000 a year and that's cheap for a boat of her type," Mr Fothergill said.

"One of the confusing things for this survey is that she is a vessel designed 100 years ago but in reality she's only 10-years-old."

Riverboat Centre manager Dave McDermid said six crew would work on the Waimarie while it was in dry dock.

"We started stripping her down for the survey in August and the boiler survey has already been completed, so there's not a great deal of major work left to do. Hopefully, we'll be back in the water in a couple of weeks,' Mr McDermid said.

 

TELL US

As we celebrate the imminent return to the water of the PS Waimarie, we want to share your pictures and stories of this amazing steamer. If you have a memorable account of a voyage, or were involved in its salvage and restoration, we want to hear from you. Likewise, if you have ideas on how to ensure the PS Waimarie stays where it belongs - in Wanganui, and is a successful venture. Email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz, post to

PS Waimarie, Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, PO Box 433, Wanganui, or phone 06 349 0717