Volunteers needed to help get river vessel shipshape

PADDLE POWER: The Waimarie will be back in action on the Whanganui River from October 26.PHOTO/FILE

If you've got time on your hands, the Wanganui River Boat Centre would love to hear from you.

The centre is getting the PS Waimarie ready for another busy summer season and is asking for volunteers to help get everything shipshape.

The Waimarie will resume its scheduled services on October 26, the Saturday of Labour weekend.

Peter Hardy, river boat centre manager, said all volunteers were welcome Monday through Saturday from 9am.

"It's not necessary to have any skills other than enthusiasm," Mr Hardy said.

He said that after the Labour weekend relaunch, the centre was hoping to begin normal operations with the Waimarie on the Whanganui River five days per week, Thursday through Monday.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays would be maintenance days for the vessel to get it ready for the following five days of sailings from its Taupo Quay berth.

"We will normally open the boat at 10am and sail at 11am. The boat will return by 1pm and then disembark by 2pm."

Mr Hardy said the centre was developing a new "experience" for those tripping on the historic paddle steamer.

"We'll take visitors back 100 years and encourage them to help in the running of the vessel. That means inviting them into the engine room to help crew stoking the boiler and generally help run the vessel," he said.

Mr Hardy said he and the crew would for the most part be dressed in period costume.

"We also hope to take along carrier pigeons, who will fly messages back to the River Boat Centre on shore.

"The whole point is about making the trips interactive and making them fun. We've got no money, so we have to do whatever we can to generate some income," he said. The centre would soon be advertising for people who could work as stokers and deckhands on the Waimarie.

The paddle steamer will undergo sea trials on October 24 and all volunteers who give time to get the vessel ready for this season will be taken out on the boat.

Mr Hardy said costs this year had been maintained at last year's rates of $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, $15 for 5 to 15-year-olds, with under-5s sailing free.