Evening Star calls it a night

A nine-metre yacht, Evening Star, which sank in the Mooloolah River is the latest derelict vessel in the firing line of the Palaszczuk Government’s War on Wrecks. 

Member for Redlands and War on Wrecks taskforce chair Kim Richards said Maritime Safety Queensland had made arrangements for its removal and cost recovery. 

“The vessel, which sank in July, posed a navigation risk to other vessels and MSQ has undertaken compliance action to remove it from the waterway” Ms Richards said. 

“It is always the owner’s responsibility to remove their vessel if it becomes unserviceable or wrecked. 

“If an irresponsible boat owner refuses to clean up for themselves, we will take the necessary steps to have the job done and recover costs. 

“In this case the owner indicated they could not afford to remove the vessel. It has now been removed and will be stored offsite for eventual disposal.” 

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government would seek feedback from communities across Queensland to help it identify the worst derelict vessels, 

“We will use the $20 million War on Wrecks fighting fund announced in our 2018/19 Budget to remove ships that blight Queensland’s pristine coastline,” Mr Bailey said. 

“We want to ensure vessel owners understand and meet their responsibilities from maiden voyage to final mooring and, more importantly, we want to ensure negligent owners are held to account. 

"The Palaszczuk Government has done much to support boat owners in this state, including an additional $30 million added to the Marine Infrastructure Fund included in this year’s budget, and we know how important boating is to Queenslanders. 

“The War on Wrecks will help us prioritise the removal of these eyesores and navigational and environmental hazards so all Queenslanders can better enjoy our waterways.”

ENDS

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