Baragoola sinking: State Government contract cost to haul ferry from harbour revealed

A costly operation is underway to salvage an iconic ferry from Sydney Harbour as an investigation continues into the sinking.

The NSW Government will fork out almost $5 million hauling the submerged Baragoola ferry out of Sydney Harbour more than four months after it sank at its north shore moorings.

Tender documents have revealed Transport for NSW has awarded a $4.9 million contract to Port Macquarie based company Birdon to remove and dispose of the 500 ton Baragoola wreck in Waverton.

The privately-owned 99-year-old boat made headlines when it sank at its moorings adjacent to the Coal Loader on New Year’s Day.

The ferry is submerged at a depth of about six to eight metres.

Four-and-a-half months on, early salvage work has now commenced with crews removing parts of the main timber superstructure.

A major containment effort is also continuing with floating booms set-up around the partially submerged wreck to prevent debris and planks of drifting wood creating hazards to harbour traffic.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said severe weather and Covid-19 impacts have delayed progress with works expected to be completed by mid-May.

“The next phase of the salvage will involve cutting the vessel into segments and removing them with heavy machinery,” a spokesman said.

A photo of debris shortly after the sinking.

“Once the wreck has been salvaged, materials will be recycled where appropriate and Transport for NSW will seek to retain any heritage items, like the Baragoola’s propeller, helm, bell, or anchors.

“Transport for NSW continues to monitor the site for debris and pollution to ensure the safety of our waterways.”

Built in 1922, the retired ferry is widely recognised as an icon of Sydney’s river transport system having carried passengers between Circular Quay and Manly for 60 years.

In 2010, the boat was sold to the Baragoola Preservation Association, a not for profit organisation charged with restoring the vessel to its former glory.

Daniel Callender, the ship keeper of the MV Cape Don, pictured next to the Baragoola.

Transport for NSW said it was investigating the circumstances of the sinking and will consider and determine the appropriate action to take in due course.

“Responsibility for the vessel, now wreck, ultimately lies with the owner(s),” the spokesman said.

“The ownership of the vessel is currently the subject of investigation and we cannot comment further at this time.”

Cape Don Society president and ship keeper Daniel Callender – who is leading the restoration of the Cape Don vessel moored next to the wreckage – said the Baragoola had become home to a group of “squatters” in the months prior to the sinking.

A photo of the Baragoola in her heyday. Photo Northern Beaches Library

“The boat was pretty much timber and steel and there were people who got on board who unfortunately didn’t understand how boats work and just how much maintenance is required on a vessel of that age,” he said.

“Since the sinking, we’ve been keeping watch on it and I can’t fault the response from NSW Maritime – no sooner did it sink they were able to contain the oil and have been keeping a close eye for anything suspicious.”

Mr Callender said the sinking was a lost opportunity to restore a key piece of Sydney’s maritime heritage for future generations to appreciate.

“A few of our volunteers started on the Baragoola restoration 10 years ago before focusing on the Cape Don and it’s sad because people put a lot of effort into the project,” he said.

“It was probably the most historically significant ferry in Sydney – where the South Steyne (ferry) was built in Scotland, the Baragoola was built in NSW and never left Sydney Harbour in 100 years.”

Ian Grey, who chairs the local Waverton community precinct committee, said the sinking had become a major taking point for residents.

“Probably the only upside is we’ve had more people down in the area and the Coal Loader since it sank,” he said.

“(The sinking) in many ways really highlights how we should be taking care of the heritage we do have left and looking after it.”

Transport for NSW has gazetted an exclusion zone around the ferry during the salvage effort and warned vessel operators to keep clear of the area.

Divers have also been deployed to the wreckage as part of the clean-up operation.

Contracted firm Burden is the same company behind a lot of other major disposal operations in NSW including the Cape le Grande and the Ex-HMAS Sydney.