EMERGENCY services stepped in to prevent the paddlesteamer Pyap from making a journey to Mildura along the swollen Murray River yesterday.
Tyntynder Flats Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Ron Atkinson said he was advised this week that the NSW Maritime Services Board had approved the trip.
This was despite the MSB announcing earlier this week that no boat travel would be permitted on the river near Swan Hill until the flood danger passed.
The Settlement board subsequently cancelled all Pyap cruises for the next five weeks.
Mr Atkinson said the decision to ban all boats was based on possible damage to levee banks, and particularly those in the Tyntynder Flats area which he described as fragile.
He was angry that the MSB had so readily given permission for the Pyap journey.
“The banks are very unstable and if the Pyap ploughed into them we would never be able to stop the water,” he added.
Mr Atkinson said Displan coordinator Chief Inspector Henry Button had stepped in to stop the Pyap journey.
The MSB also officially revoked permission yesterday morning.
Settlement board chairman Cr Peter Lenon said the Pyap had to be drydocked for repairs by February.
“Because it won’t be offering cruises for the next five weeks, due to the river level, the captain thought this would be a good opportunity to get the work done.
MSB operations supervisor Roy Cownwall said MSB permission was given, on the understanding that Pyap captain Perc Robinson first obtained approval from the Wakool and Swan Hill shire councils and the SES.
Both shires have dined giving any approval.
