Old fishing boat, ‘The Penguin’, conquers Cyclone Fina
A veteran of the tropical north, a solar-powered fishing boat built in the 1960s has stared down another cyclone with ease.
A veteran of the tropical north, ‘The Penguin’ has defied mother earth once again.
For boaties who roam Darwin Harbour, the fishing boat made in the 1960s is a familiar sight.
Repurposed multiple times through the years, the old girl has seen her fair share of tropical cyclones come-and-go and, despite her age, remains a tough watercraft.
Her latest conquest is Cyclone Fina which failed to trouble her.
On Monday, the old girl was enjoying some much kinder weather – chilling off Stokes Wharf.
The same cannot be said for several other nearby boats which have become the latest wrecks to join the long list of Darwin Harbour victims.
Proudly watching from the shoreline was owner Gavin Gregory, who said he “wasn’t surprised” by the old girl’s tenacity.
“She was around for (Cyclone) Marcus,” he told this masthead.
“And possibly Cyclone Tracy as well – she’s been in the harbour forever.”
Gavin said “preparation” was key.
“We know what the storms are like up here,” he said
“You prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
With several boats bashed up on the shoreline, half sunk and missing, authorities have made the decision to close the wharf until they can clear the area.
“It’s carnage there,” Gavin said.
“There’s millions of dollars’ worth of damage underneath the café under the wharf.
“Underneath the wharf is absolutely trashed.”
Nearby, a pair of boats remain pressed up at the foot of the soon-to-be Larrakia Cultural Centre.
Another unlucky vessel managed to not be carried by the gale – but was upended with just its bow to show for.
Elsewhere, a damaged boat has washed up on the rocks at Lameroo Beach and on Sunday, sightseers were milling around a large vessel washed up on the boat ramp at Dinah Beach.
In the absence of other boats, the lonely ‘Penguin’ resembles a scene right out of Forrest Gump’s ‘Jenny’ scene.
Gavin said he would look to take her out as soon as he was allowed.
“Four o’clock this afternoon, hopefully… depends whether they open the harbour.”
In further marine news, the Port of Darwin officially reopened on Monday.
