The PS Canberra, secured to the bank after river levels dropped over the weekend.
Photo by
Daniel Harvey
UPDATED 2pm after Murray River Paddlesteamers deleted its original update on the recovery.
The PS Canberra salvage operation has hit a snag, with falling water levels forcing crews to change tack.
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Marine salvage specialists had been working on the vessel, pumping out water and assessing conditions, but with river levels dropping on Saturday, the decision was made to pause the refloating operation to not place unnecessary strain on the boat.
This has since been reversed, with focus now turning to removing clay and debris from around and beneath the boat to free it.
The Canberra’s operator, Murray River Paddlesteamers, said in a now deleted statement on Monday, September 7 it planned to wait for water levels to rise, claiming it had advice that river flows were set to increase over the next week.
When a journalist from The Riv visited the site around 11.30am today, crews confirmed that works had been paused.
They have since resumed, and after the vessel is refloated, it will be moved to a slip, where further assessments and repairs will begin.
Salvage crews on site on Monday, September 7.
Photo by
Daniel Harvey
Salvage vessels near the Canberra on Monday, September 7.
Photo by
Daniel Harvey
