Chaos as tanker blocks Redland Bay island barge terminal

Bay island residents can expect delays all week after a tanker became wedged on a ramp this morning at one of the state’s busiest barge terminals.

Hundreds of island residents were stranded on Tuesday morning, May 7, after one of the state’s busiest passenger barge terminals came to a grinding halt when a tanker got stuck on the loading ramp.

The fuel tanker, believed to be full, became stuck as it was driving on to a barge at Redland Bay’s Weinam Creek barge terminal just after 4.30am.

All scheduled car barge trips to Moreton Bay’s Russell, Macleay, Karragarra and Lamb islands from the dock were cancelled while barge operator Sealink employed massive cranes to lift the tanker.

However, some of the barges loaded with cars had to circle the Redland Bay port before being able to unload.

Photographs from the dock showed a ramp was not connecting with the barge, leaving the tanker stuck and forced to wait for a crane to move it into a safer position.

Sealink said at 3.30pm today that delays would continue this week and all booked customers would be notified of changes.

The ramp was finally raised and the tanker safely on board by 1.30pm.

Sealink would not answer questions about whether disrupted customers would be refunded money or when scheduled new barges would start operating.

The Moreton Escape is out of action after the incident at the barge ramp at Redland Bay. Picture: Sealink

Sealink said scheduled services would resume on Wednesday, May 8. It apologised to customers.

“Due to an incident with Moreton Escape (the barge) this morning, our Southern Moreton Bay Island vehicle ferry service has been disrupted and the Stern Loader barge remains inaccessible as a result from the incident,” Sealink said.

“We will continue to operate Moongalba barge from (Redland Bay) the link span and have organised alternative services using Bay Islander barge and the Quandamooka barge to reduce the impact of the disruption.

“All customers travelling to or from the Bay Islands will likely experience delays.

“Our team is working to contact all affected customers.

“However, if travel is not essential we ask you to please make arrangements to reschedule your journey to a different day.”

Dozens of customers aired their grievances, claiming it was impossible to get a barge booking.

Others said they were unable to get to work on the mainland or were forced to cancel appointments.

Island resident Greg Hartay-Szabo said barge bookings were already at capacity and this had exacerbated the scheduling.

“The Stradbroke Venture was retired because it was old and needed upgrading but the two new promised barges from Yamba are still nowhere to be seen, after a two-year delay,” Mr Hartay-Szabo said.

“It is practically impossible to book a daytime barge using the Sealink online booking system for at least a week ahead unless one goes inter-island.”

Oops. The ramp has not connected to the barge with half of the tanker on board. Picture: Craig Shanks

Island resident Helen Lovell had to reschedule her dog’s vet appointment.

“We were caught up in the chaos leaving Macleay this morning to attend a specialist’s appointment for our little dog at Springwood,” she said.

“We were booked on the 7.20am ferry and we finally left Macleay Island at 8.30am and coming back was the same.

“We left Redland Bay an hour later than booked.

“We thought the Sealink staff did a great job to organise everyone and remain calm. Thanks to them we made our appointment and got home again, albeit a little later.”

Danielle Jovanovic reported cars being unable to be unloaded at the Sealink barge terminal.

“My partner is on the 12.15pm barge from Macleay to Redland Bay and apparently they have been going around in circles,” she wrote on Facebook.

“We are wondering if they are able to unload vehicles soon as he has appointments to attend.”