Management of abandoned derelict vessels is an expensive nightmare for everyone, except the owners.
It seems to be a phase that young blokes have to go through.
Volunteer Riverwatch patrols recommenced on February 4th after the end-of-year break. There have been 5 of these, run as usual on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The aim of these patrols is to monitor the general well-being of the waterway from the river mouth upstream to Lake Cootharaba. Harmful effects of natural events and of inappropriate activity by river users are noted and recorded, and rubbish is recorded and removed unless it is too bulky or dangerous for volunteers to handle. Policing of rules related to river usage is NOT a role for Riverwatch, but informative conversations with river users and visitors – with hand-outs of appropriate flyers – is encouraged. Common problems include the abandonment of fishing tackle and crab-pots, and derelict vessels.
The patrols are crewed entirely by volunteers, so there is the usual challenge of ensuring that crews with appropriate licences, launch vehicles, etc, are available for each patrol. NICA would like to add more interested folk to the Riverwatch roster.
The NICA powerboat used for all patrols is showing its age, but NICA has been generously supported in its equipment and maintenance by Laguna Marine and Bendigo Bank.
By Roger Kelly