$500 boat leads to owner receiving a bill for over $25,000

The vessel sits in the Fitzroy River, unable to be propelled by wind or electricity or propellers, rotting away and a potential risk of breaking up and causing maritime and environmental hazards.

A boat that cost a Central Queensland man $500 to purchase will land him with a bill of more than $25,000 after a court order was made permitting Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to remove the derelict vessel from the Fitzroy River.

The vessel, named Payla, sits in the Fitzroy River, unable to be propelled by wind or electricity or propellers, rotting away and a potential risk of breaking up and causing maritime and environmental hazards.

It’s owner, Steven Wayne Dixson, failed to appear in court on two occasions this year (June 8 and July 27) regarding MSQ’s application to the Rockhampton District Court, seeking permission to remove the rotting and hazardous vessel from Queensland waters.

MSQ documents showed the vessel had been left in an unseaworthy condition in the Fitzroy River.

Investigations concluded the boat was originally inherited by a woman and on-sold by her son for $500 to Mr Dixson.

The vessel was registered to a company of which Mr Dixson was sole director.

The sale occurred around December 2019 and the boat was no longer registered.

Judge Jeff Clarke said MSQ had been trying to contact Mr Dixson about his obligation to have it removed before it broke up and sank which would likely cause a maritime hazard and/or potentially create a negative environmental outcome.

Judge Clarke, on July 27, made an order which effectively means MSQ has legal permission to remove the vessel and send the bill to Mr Dixson, who then has 60 days to pay.

The boat was inspected by Maritime Safety Queensland officers on June 11, 2020.

Their inspection, confirmed by a series of photographs, revealed the following:

• There was rotten timber in various parts of the ship so it no longer provides for water tight integrity,
• The propulsion system was in disrepair and not functional,
• The hatches on the ship were rotten and no longer provided water tight integrity,
• The railings were unsecured and provide ineffective safety,
• There was a large amount of oil and water in the ship’s hull which indicates lack of water tight integrity which negatively affects the ship’s stability and contributes to the likelihood of the ship sinking,
• There was no viable pumping equipment on-board,
• The ship is exposed to water inundation and adverse weather conditions,
• The electrical systems are in very poor condition and pose a hazard to persons if operations were attempted,
• There was no viable power to the ship which means it is effectively a dead ship,
• The sails are in a state of disrepair, unsecured and not functional.

Judge Clarke said the boat, therefore, had no independent means of propulsion and its structure had deteriorated to the point where in water, repairs were not viable.

Judge Clarke said MSQ claimed urgent action was required to remove it before it broke up and sank, which would likely cause an obstruction in navigation and also marine pollution.

He said MSQ claimed it was expected the cost of removal could exceed $25,000; and if there was asbestos and other contaminants on the vessel, it would exceed that figure.

Judge Clarke said the boat was removed from its mooring by unknown persons and was now anchored in the river in the Nerimbera area.

He said the shipping inspector’s declaration was sent by registered post to three addresses on June 25, 2020.

No response was received in the required time frame of July 24, 2020.