FIX OUR BOAT GRAVEYARD
50 wrecks dumped in Trinity Inlet and no one’s being punished
A GRAVEYARD of more than 50 shipwrecks abandoned in Trinity Inlet is a blight on the region’s reputation as nature’s playground.
The Weekend Post today reveals the extent of the problem, with boats, ranging from yachts to fishing trawlers, polluting the waterway on the doorstep of Cairns.
This newspaper is leading a campaign for the government and Maritime Safety Queensland to crack down on irresponsible owners and have the vessels removed from the crucial marine breeding ground.
Documents released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads after a Right to Information application by the Weekend Post reveal difficulties by authorities to pursue and prosecute owners of the abandoned boats.
The department says it is “a challenge” to track down the absentee owners.
lation, MSQ can direct owners to remove vessels that pose a “hazard to navigation or a pollution threat” – and penalties can be applied if owners fail to comply – but officers do not have the power to issue fines.
When the Post first highlighted the abandoned boat problem in May, when the vessels numbered 54, Main Roads and Ports Minister Mark Bailey committed to launching an investigation.
Since then two vessels have been removed and demolished by MSQ after they were surrendered by their owners to the state.
Authorities claim the remaining vessels – estimated to be more than 50 – don’t pose an “imminent hazard to navigation or pollution risk”.
A Department of Traffic and Main Roads spokeswoman said MSQ’s priority was to focus on only the vessels that posed the greatest risk.
“MSQ’s priorities, particu- larly around boating safety and pollution prevention mean we’re not resourced to constantly review the status of each derelict vessel on our books,” the spokeswoman said.
Mr Bailey said the department faced major challenges in locating the owners of problem vessels.
“It is the responsibility of vessel owners to dispose of the vessel at the end of its life,” he said. However, the minister is now looking at areas where legislation could be tightened to crack down on owners who abandon their boats in waterways across the state.
“This includes fines for abandoning vessels, stronger powers to seize and remove potential derelict vessels and recover costs, and implementing waterways management regulations that address derelict vessel issues,” Mr Bailey said.
“We are looking at all avenues available to hold the owners of these vessels to account.”