Jacob Parmax of Salamander Bay, who works at Albatross Marina, Lemon Tree Passage, was able to give some insight into the brief history of the Mark M boat which has recently been brought to Soldiers Point where it has been disassembled.

“The Mark M was initially moored at the Marina around March/April of this year, it sank not long after we asked the owner to turn off the generator as we were receiving noise complaints from local residents,” Mr Parmax said.

Albatross Marina invested a lot of time and money in an attempt to refloat the trawler unsuccessfully, having to hire two 20 tonne chain blocks to assist their 15 metre barge to right itself.

Staff had to plan and wait for the right tide to bring their barge back to shore in the correct position.

Mr Parmax said, “I am disappointed the boat was not removed sooner, it created a serious environmental hazard, and along with the fire brigade, we had to use three complete oil/diesel spill kits, which are a ‘one use only’ piece of equipment. Even with the fire brigade’s assistance there was still some leakage.”

A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson told News Of The Area, “Roads and Maritime Services arranged for the removal of the 19 metre trawler ‘Mark M’ after it sank on a commercial mooring off Lemon Tree Passage at Port Stephens on Sunday 20 November.”

“Roads and Maritime boomed the vessel to contain pollution, deployed a yellow flashing light to alert other vessels to the navigation hazard and contacted the owner to have the trawler removed,” the RMS spokesperson said.

“Due to inaction by the owner, Roads and Maritime arranged for the refloat and removal of the vessel last Thursday via Soldiers Point boat ramp using a 250 tonne crane. The owner will be billed for these costs.”

By Mandy ELLIS