Editorial: Change of tide for Waimarie

As turbulent as the waters on which it sails, so too are the fortunes of the PS Waimarie.

The vessel which plies its trade up the often murky waters of the Whanganui River has not had an easy run of it in recent times. The salvage and subsequent restoration of the vessel has been well documented.

So too its various problems, including when financial difficulties saw trustees head cap in hand to Wanganui District Council for assistance to keep it afloat. At the time there was an outpouring of support for the beleaguered Waimarie, and the general consensus was that it was too valuable to let fail. The Waimarie, opinion suggested, was and is too much a part of the Wanganui experience. People visit to sail the river on the steamer, and its iconic status harks back to our strong links to our heritage.

But merely a decade after it was recommissioned, in June 2010, the operation hit the rocks, figuratively speaking and help was sought, from the council; Powerco Wanganui Trust has also offered financial assistance.

Changes were made, and no doubt some were hurt by that but, as yesterday's story on the front page shows, there is still hope for a brighter future.

Stuart Perry, the man who now heads the Riverboat Centre, has some big ideas and ambitions for the centre and the Waimarie. He outlined these in a story last month. He has set his sights on the operation breaking even in the short term and has set about rebranding the Riverboat Centre, upgrading marketing platforms such the website, introducing a Facebook page, and innovating by opening as a floating bar. He has more ideas which will help maintain the steamer's profile, and hopefully ensure its success.

It remains to be seen how successful Mr Perry will be but he is off to a good start, as evidenced by the busy holiday period. He is clearly doing something right and must be aware that, by making the boat accessible and appealing to locals, half the battle is won.

He too is open about maybe working in tandem with other river boats.

That is a good thing. A vibrant successful river tourism scene will highlight Wanganui's greatest asset and lead to greater opportunities and spin-offs for the city.

That would certainly be a fitting way to pay tribute to those who toiled so long and hard, investing time and money in rescuing Waimarie from the mud and getting the steamer back on the water.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz