Salvage operations continue for the historic MV Baragoola, four months after it has sunk along the western foreshore of Balls Head Reserve near the Coal Loader at Waverton on New Year’s Day 2022.
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Expected to be finished in weeks, the salvage operations are being done after the NSW Government has allocated $5 million for the ferry’s removal.
The Transport for NSW earlier announced its plans to retain heritage items from the ferry, such as the propeller, helm, bell or anchors, and recycle them if possible. After the operations, the next phase would involve cutting the vessel into segments and removing them with heavy machinery.
The department has also confirmed that reports found there were only small amounts of pollutant on board and the fuel tanks were empty, so residents need not worry about the safety of waterways.
Whilst authorities want to remove the wreck as quickly as possible, the contractors would have to be careful in pulling the ferry from the water, since it’s unlikely that it would be re-floated.
About the MV Baragoola
Considered as one of the most historically important vessels in NSW, MV Baragoola was built in 1922 and will be celebrating its 100th year in 2022.
It operated between Manly and CCircular Quay for around 60 years before its final voyage in January 1983.
It was previously owned by the Baragoola Preservation Association, a non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring the ferry, before the sinking happened in January 2022.
The association recently confirmed that the ferry has been handed to a caretaker as the pandemic and the lack of access made it more challenging to maintain.