Moor woes for gift ship
A PLAN to display former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Townsville has hit more snags over cost and the suitability of a proposed mooring in Ross Creek.
But Maritime Museum chairman and Port of Townsville director Brad Webb said the project was still proceeding.
The decommissioned patrol boat, a “gift” to the city from the Commonwealth, had been left tied up in Ross Creek for eight years until 2015 when the Port of Townsville came to the rescue.
The port helped organise to tow it to a Cairns slipway where the vessel underwent extensive restoration including blasting, sanding, sealing of underwater openings and a new paint job.
But since its return, the vessel has been moored in the port’s marina precinct near the local fishing fleet since February 2016 with little or no access by the public.
Mr Webb said the plan remained to have it open to the public in Ross Creek alongside the Maritime Museum of Townsville.
“We have harbour master approval ( for the mooring),” Mr Webb said. “It ( the mooring proposal) has been engineered to cyclone rating.
“We are working it through as funding becomes available.”
It is understood the Townsville Yacht Club is concerned about the risks posed of having the boat near its marina.
But Mr Webb said the museum was comfortable working through any issues the yacht club may have.
Marine contractor and patrol boat volunteer Brian Lane said it was unfortunate the boat’s mooring in the marine precinct prevented public access. You had to be careful getting on and off, particularly at low tide, he said.
“I get phone calls from people wanting to come and look at the Townsville,” Mr Lane said.
“I have to say that I’m sorry at this stage, because of the location, she is not available but that she will be later.”