Major fuel leak risk for SW bay after boat beached

More than a 1000 litres of diesel fuel is at risk of leaking into Koombana Bay from a 59-year-old timber boat which is stranded on the beach.

The 28-tonne Kestrel Mannina, a former pearl lugger built in Broome, has been beached near the entrance to Bunbury Port Inner Harbour since a storm on May 3.The boat was anchored near the Koombana Bay Yacht Club but was swept away by strong winds which were recorded to be as strong as 69kmh.

The boat’s owner, Dave Thompson, said he had been unable to salvage the boat and tow it to Casuarina Boat Harbour because it was not insured.

He had a group of people who was willing to help him remove the boat but they stopped after they received a letter from the Department of Transport.The letter stated “alternative arrangements” to remove the boat had to be made by Mr Thompson but it was not allowed in Casuarina Harbour to protect “both the vessel owner and surrounding owners”.

He has also warned the boat contains 1500 litres of diesel fuel and said some of it had already leaked into the water.

While the fuel could be removed or a containment boom installed around the boat, there is a risk the boat could break up from another storm.The boat is stranded in water managed by the Southern Ports Authority but it is near the Dolphin Discovery Centre, which is a major marine tourist attraction.

The authority and the Department of Transport are aware of the situation.

“The Department of Transport has been working with the Bunbury Port to ensure the situation is addressed as soon as possible,” a Department of Transport spokeswoman said.The Kestrel Mannina, also known as Panama, built in 1956 was used as part of a fleet of pearl luggers by famous Broome pearl operator Mary Dakas.

Since then it was converted into a fishing boat and has been passed through a number of hands.

In 2000, Mr Thompson bought the boat for $6000 and had it stored in Fremantle before moving it Bunbury.

“I worked on a pearl lugger years ago and done work on a couple and always loved that style of boat,” he said.

Mr Thomspon said his boat, which he lived on, has been trashed by vandals and items on board, including a flat-screen television and navigation equipment, were stolen.

A group, backed by former Premier Peter Dowding, has already been formed to save the boat.