South Australia’s Ferry Refurbishment Program has resumed post-flood, with the river ferry Dotterel marking its return to service after an extensive refurbishment journey. The Dotterel, which typically travels short distances making approximately 135 Tailem Bend crossings daily, was transported over 300 kilometres from Narrung to Morgan Dockyard—a trip nearly 10 times its ordinary route.
The refurbished ferry is part of an ongoing commitment by the State Government, which recently boosted its support with a $110 million funding announcement. This funding ensures the operation of ferries like the Dotterel across the River Murray for the next decade.
Typically, each of the state’s 12 River Murray ferries, named after waterbirds, undergoes refurbishment every seven years. These ferries are essential, offering free 24/7 transport to locals, tourists, and emergency service providers across regions from Lyrup to Narrung at the Lower Lakes. The refurbishment process includes extensive maintenance from structural repairs to rewiring and painting, ensuring reliable and safe operations.
The journey of the Dotterel to the Morgan Dockyard was pivotal, not only due to the distance travelled but also due to the complexity in planning required to maintain continuous service at other crossings. This task was undertaken while the dockyard itself was still recovering from severe flooding two years prior, which had submerged the slipway and workshop.
Reflecting on the completed project, DIT Marine and Mechanical lead Joseph Rositano shared, “It is always a rewarding and proud moment for the team when you finish refurbishing a ferry. The planning involved in transporting and restoring a ferry while ensuring services continue at each river crossing is an important task.”
He added, “It has been quite the journey to transport the ferry from Narrung to Morgan with the vessel travelling more than 300 kilometres upstream to get to the dockyard.”
The refurbishment process is crucial, as Joseph Rositano noted, “The refurbishment program is fundamental to the safe operation of these vessels, with each ferry requiring a refurb every seven years. This process involves checking the vessel from top to bottom, completing any works that need to be done such as painting, repairs and rewiring.”
As communities along the River Murray continue to recover from the flood impacts, the resilience of the ferry service and the commitment of those who maintain the fleet remain vital. Rositano commented on the ongoing efforts, saying, “The River Murray flood event was a challenging time for everyone along the river and we are continuing to repair the site while maintaining our fleet.”
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