Port ramp repair works on track
Work to repair New Plymouth’s damaged boat ramp is ahead of schedule, meaning boaties can launch from the area sooner than expected.
Heavy seas during the subtropical storm that hit New Zealand last Friday smashed the area at Port Taranaki’s lee breakwater, significantly damaging the public car park, boat ramp and pontoon.
Repair work started on Monday and Port Taranaki infrastructure and projects programme manager Mark Webb said teams were working hard to get the boat ramp operational again.
Initial estimates after the storm were the boat ramp would be out of action for at least a week but it was now hoped the facility could be used again in the coming days, Webb said.
‘‘We understand that at this time of year boaties are keen to get out on the water and we want them to be able to do that sooner rather than later.’’
A digger was being used to remove a large amount of sand deposited on the underwater section of the boat ramp, he said.
‘‘We initially thought rocks may have been deposited during the storm in that area of the boat ramp and the access way, which could have caused damage to boats. However, it was sand that accumulated there. This has meant we have progressed more quickly than initially thought.’’
Part of the floating pontoon that suffered sea damage would need to eventually be rebuilt. In the meantime, Port Taranaki and its contractors were working to make the pontoon safe and useable, Webb said.
Contractors were repairing the seal of the boat ramp vehicle turning area and car park. The high seas had caused large holes to develop in the chipseal and while a storm water line was exposed, it was not damaged, Webb said.
Webb said Port Taranaki had notified its insurance company.
‘‘Our priority at this point is to get the boat ramp operational again and the area fully open to the public,’’ Webb said.