Log new threat to battered riverboat

Greg Robinson saws a log jammed under the Waimarie yesterday afternoon. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 191013WCSMWAIMARIE - LOG1

Wanganui Riverboat staff, volunteers and firefighters were yesterday trying to remove a giant log that threatened to damage the PS Waimarie.

The historic boat was battered by debris during the flood and the log jammed in the Waimarie's paddle.

Surrounded by mud, debris and a still-raging river, the boat listed to one side as the floodwaters started to drop.

Wanganui mayor Annette Main visited the boat during the operation, which involved using chainsaws to remove as much of the log as possible.

She told the Wanganui Chronicle the Waimarie appeared to have come through the flood in reasonable shape, despite its exposed position.

"The Whanganui Riverboat people are confident of getting the log out," she said.

At 5pm, fire service staff were still working to remove the log.

The operation was the second rescue mission for the Waimarie within 24 hours.

On Tuesday night, towards the flood peak, a tree became snagged between the boat and its mooring line, putting pressure on the line.

Around dusk, a crane was brought in. Two men with chainsaws were lowered over the treeand cut away as much as possible while hundreds of people watched from the bank.