Those who tie up at the Commuter Wharf will have noticed the rusting railings that need replacing. Council has been removing these railings and replacing them with cleats. The WPCA has written to Council as follows:-
“We suggest that the necessary ongoing maintenance work involve replacement with the same type of railing rather than the cleats. The railings provide more flexible and unlimited positions for tie up. Also boat owners should not need to interfere with other vessel’s mooring lines as is happening with the cleats when multiple tie-ups occur to the one cleat.”
The WPCA has also raised other items of general maintenance requiring attention such as the re-fixing of broken stainless steel hand rails and removing sharp edges and splintering in wood corners present at the ramp and loading area.
A further concern is the loss of night time vision (for safe navigation of vessels) resulting from the recent replacement of one of the wharf’s bollard lights with an unshielded unit. The original bollards were fitted with shielded lights in order to minimize extraneous light affecting navigation of nearby vessels. Accordingly, the WPCA has asked that the light be modified or replaced to stop extraneous light.
Rusted railing requiring replacement. Sharp metal exposed to hands and mooring lines.
Cleats restrict number of tie-ups and necessitate undoing other boat’s lines when more than one tie-up to a cleat.
Broken supports to hand rails. Extended length of railing required to assist with tie-up
Extraneous light from unshielded fitting affects safe navigation by impacting night vision.