A wave generator sunk off Carrickalinga beach will cost $3 million to clean up
SALVAGING a damaged wave generator sunk off Carrickalinga beach will cost about $3 million, but there is currently no firm timeline for its removal.
SALVAGING a damaged wave generator sunk off Carrickalinga beach will cost about $3 million, but there is currently no firm timeline for its removal.
The Oceanlinx wave generator sunk on March 2 this year while it was being towed from Port Adelaide to Port Macdonnell.
The 3000 tonne piece of machinery was being towed by a tug boat when it experienced problems with the airbags keeping it afloat, and sunk in 16m of water 1500m offshore.
It has remained there ever since, with an exclusion zone around it and a flashing light to warn off boats.
The generator was expected to produce one megawatt of electricity, which is enough to power about 1000 homes.
The $7 million project received a $4 million Federal Government grant, but following the sinking off Carrickalinga the company running the project, Oceanlinx, collapsed, and this month was placed in liquidation.
Another of the company’s prototypes is stranded off Port Kembla in New South Wales.
The liquidator, Deloitte, says the salvage operation would cost about $3 million.
“We have obtained a quote for the Carrickalinga clean-up operation, which we have forwarded to
South Australia Maritime,’’ Deloitte says in its creditors’ report.
“We understand that they will be opening a tender process in due course to select a contractor to assist them.’’
A spokesman for Minister for Transport Stephen Mullighan said the government expected “some” of the costs of the clean up would be recovered from the company’s liquidator.
Removal of the generator would not start until all options had been canvassed.
“No work will be undertaken until the safest, least environmentally damaging option has been identified,’’ he said.
“The community has been informed of the progress through several community meetings, and another is scheduled for early next year.
“While the community have expressed their concerns, they have also been patient, understanding that no action can be taken until the administrators conclude their work.
“The primary focus for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has been on ensuring the safety of mariners, swimmers, snorkellers and other marine users in the area.
“A restricted zone is in place around the structure as the most significant danger is sightseers getting stranded on the structure or getting caught up within the structure.’’
The spokesman said that there had been no reports of environmental damage resulting from the incident.
“There were minimal contaminants on board when the generator was placed on the seabed and monitoring has shown that there have been no leaks of contaminants,’’ he said.