EPA taking steps to ensure river’s health after New Port marina yacht sunk

A sunken yacht has been underwater in an Adelaide marina for more than a week with concerns raised over leaking diesel, but a plan to save it is now underway.

Dieter Czora surveys the damage of his neighbours boat that sunk last week at the Newport Marina Picture: Kelly Barnes

A yacht which sunk overnight in the New Port marina is set to be salvaged more than a week after it dropped beneath the water.

Residents were shocked last week to see the yacht, which is believed to have been in the marina for about six months, had sunk.

Concerns have since been raised by western suburbs residents about potential diesel leakage from the yacht affecting the health of the Port River.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport confirmed on Wednesday an attempt to salvage the boat would be undertaken on Thursday.

The yacht submerged at New Port on Wednesday. Picture: Paula Thompson

An Environment Protection Authority spokeswoman said the authority had received a number of community inquiries and complaints regarding the sunken vessel.

However she said the authority was satisfied “pollutants are currently contained” and while odours were present, they were not severe.

“The EPA has attended the site on several occasions, along with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, which has placed a boom and absorbent pads around the vessel to contain pollutants,” she said.

“The EPA has also liaised with the marina management company and the vessel owner regarding their environmental obligations and has been advised that salvage efforts will be undertaken (on Thursday) by a professional salvage operator.”

The sunken yacht at the New Port marina last week. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The EPA spokeswoman said vessel owners have a responsibility under the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 not to discharge pollutants, and where this has occurred they must take all reasonable and proactive measures to resolve the matter promptly and in an environmentally responsible manner.

An SA Police spokesman last week said officers attended the yacht and found its sinking was not suspicious.

The new boat sinkage comes five months after a 70-year-old wooden yacht became stranded on North Haven beach, which drew massive public attention.

The North Haven incident led to a month-long saga to save the marooned yacht, which ended when wild weather smashed it into a pontoon, causing serious damage to its bow.