The first job once the vessel was out of the water was to clean to underside of the hull. Photo / Bevan Conley
The first job once the vessel was out of the water was to clean to underside of the hull. Photo / Bevan Conley
The slipping of the Whanganui River paddle steamer Waimarie finally went ahead on Monday, after poor weather and a low river level delayed the scheduled work on Sunday.
Around 100 people gathered along the banks of the river near Kowhai Park and the Dublin Street Bridge to watch the manoeuvre,which took place shortly after midday.
The vessel is being lifted so a Maritime New Zealand inspection can take place, as well as extensive work to the steamer's boiler to ensure it remains in working order.
The process to lift the vessel was a lengthy one. The steam traction engines first had to wait for the water level of the river to reach the right height - the reason for the delay on Sunday.
The Waimarie was lifted out of the awa by two Burrell steam traction engines, Dixie Flyer (left) and the Iron Lady. Photo / Bevan Conley
Once the water was at the right level, the vessel sailed upriver and was positioned on a submerged platform connected via a pulley to the steam traction engines.
This process required two attempts, after the first failed to position the vessel on the submerged platform correctly.
Once positioned, the Waimarie was left in the hands of the two Burrell steam traction engines - Stephen McClune's Dixie Flyer and Mike Slater's Iron Lady.
The engines then powered two pulleys which pulled the vessel up on to the banks of the river, completely out of the water.
The first job once the vessel was out of the water was to clean to underside of the hull. Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui Riverboat Restoration and Navigation Trust chairwoman Marion Johnston said the vessel would now be perched at that spot until work was complete.
"The first step now is to water blast all of the muck on the hull that's built up since the last time we pulled it out. Then we'll get the crane in here to lift the boiler," Johnston said.
The last time the vessel was lifted out of the awa was in 2016, when the hull was repainted and the same Maritime New Zealand inspection took place.
"We don't have a timeframe, but last time it was out for three months. However, that was mainly due to the repaint," Johnston said.
"The area will be cordoned off and she will just sit here while the work takes place."
