Though vast parts of the northern and western areas of Brisbane were inundated by flood waters, the river broke its banks and flowed with debris, including small craft swept away from the riverside homes.
However the larger vessel and marine infrastructure and businesses situated on the eastern reaches of the river towards Moreton Bay sustained relatively little or no damage.
Superyacht Brisbane members were among those who heeded the warnings taking pre‐ emptive measures to ensure the safety of vessels, staff, equipment and premises. Battening down the hatches in preparation for the river flooding paid off with no reports of major damage.
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron provided a safe haven in their new marina at Manly Harbour. Manly is situated to the south of the Brisbane River in Moreton Bay and was a perfect alternative shelter to vessels normally berthed in the River.
BSE Maritime Solution’s dockyard at Colmslie remained high and dry throughout the flood crisis, and work on the vessels docked on the 2500 tonne slipway continued with little interruption.
Rivergate Marina and Shipyard General Manager Steve Fisher commented, “Although luck may have played part in the fact that the marina only suffered minor fender damage on the outer berths, there is no doubt that prior preparation and planning was pivotal in making sure that Rivergate’s customers and vessels were kept safe.”
Ultimately the Brisbane Superyachting facilities located along the River, and which house many of Superyacht Brisbane businesses, remained open throughout the disaster with staff, fellow business owners and employees taking to the river to assist with diverting debris and saving what they could that swept past, including an international vessel that broke loose from its moorings near the CBD at the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens.
The vessel was reunited with its Dutch owners who flew back from Holland fearing their vessel was all but lost.Now it’s “business as usual” as the Port of Brisbane can re‐open following a prompt clean‐ up of hazardous debris by the Royal Australian Navy minesweepers clearing the river and Moreton Bay, making it safe for Navigation.
Superyacht Brisbane members their business’s and infrastructure is again ready to provide services offering Superyacht servicing and support facilities with a message that reads “Come Dock with us”. We have weathered the storm well and now it’s back to business.
