Keeping Whanganui's historic paddle steamer the Waimarie shipshape doesn't come cheap and the five-yearly survey of the boat will cost the Riverboat Restoration and Navigation Trust $170,000.
The trust has raised $100,000 but needs the remaining $70,000 before June 30 and, if the survey is not done by then, the Waimarie will not be allowed back on the water.
The trust has lodged applications with other funders but this week asked Whanganui District Council for a one-off grant of $70,000 if it can't raise the money other ways.
This week, the council unanimously agreed to the request.
Trust member Richard Sheppard told Tuesday's council meeting that the floods last June had left the survey plans "in tatters".