Restricted boat ramp access for Wharf Street

From Monday 10 February, restrictions will be in place at the Wharf Street boat ramp. Whanganui Port will close the boat ramp for a period of two hours either side of low tide, a total of four hours each time, from Mondays to Fridays.

These restrictions are a result of the Whanganui Port contractor, Concrete Structures Limited needing to work close to the edge of the new wharf and runway for the new lift out bay.

“It is paramount we maintain the safety of boat operators in the water, along with the staff working on the site,” says Whanganui Port general manager Geoff Evans.

“While most operators have heeded our advice, a small few are not, and over a period of 24 hours over the past week, there have been six incursions of the exclusion zone.”

“Last week, we established an exclusion zone, identified by a line of red buoys, around the work area to ensure boats do not get close to the works. Plus, we have had port representatives at the boat ramp during dredge operating hours informing boat operators of the correct channel and advising against launching at low tide.”

“This is a very frustrating situation to be in, as we do not want to limit access to the awa for boat operators in order to maintain safety for all.”

A number of meetings have been held at the Port with representatives from Coastguard, the Wanganui Manawatū Sea Fishing Club and other stakeholders to discuss this emerging issue and to explore options available to the Port to alleviate the risk.

“It is hoped that closing the boat ramp during low tides should reduce the likelihood that boat operators will feel the need to cross the line of red buoys into the exclusion zone, as has been occurring recently,” says Geoff Evans.

“If incursions continue to occur, then boaties need to be aware then it is possible that the boat ramp will close completely, which is certainly not something we want to do.”

The temporary closure is expected to continue for the best part of February and possibly into early March, depending on progress made by Concrete Structures.

Launching at times that the boat ramp is open remains the skippers’ discretion and responsibility.

“It is our collective hope that this approach will encourage boat owners to take action and respect the exclusion zone and closure times. If we all do our bit, we will ensure the safety of our boating community alongside those working on the wharf within the Whanganui Port basin.”

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