Specialised equipment needed to address boat ramp issues

Published on 21 March 2018

Whanganui District Council is advising boaties to check the daily tide tables before launching at the Wharf Street boat ramp, until specialised dredging equipment can be brought in to clear an accumulation of silt.

Port Manager, Phil McBride says a number of boat owners have run into difficulties trying to launch recently when good fishing days have coincided with early morning spring low tides. 

He says recent weather conditions have resulted in an increased amount of silt being deposited near the Wharf Street boat ramp and this has been highlighted during the recent low tides.

“The build-up of silt on the Wharf Street boat ramp and the channel alongside No. 2 and 3 wharves is very evident when the tide is out and unfortunately this means launching or recovering boats can be quite difficult.

“Unfortunately a cutter suction dredge that has been booked in to undertake a thorough dredging job is still about five weeks away.

“The deteriorating structure of the wharves and changes to health and safety requirements mean we cannot continue the use of a land-based digger to dredge this area, so we’ve been exploring alternative options to dredge the channel and widen and deepen it to allow low tide access.

“The Council wants to get on top of the dredging needs at the Wharf Street boat ramp to offer a higher level of service, which does come at quite a cost. We are very hopeful that the modern cutter suction dredge will provide the results we need.

“In the meantime,” Mr McBride says, “We suggest that boat owners check the tide tables to avoid launching or recovering their boats at low tide, especially on spring tides. Alternative boat launching facilities are available at the Putiki slipway if necessary.”