The former vessel Corvina had sat derelict in the Port of Hobart for a number of years.
Built in 1965 by Brooke Marine Yachts in the UK, TasPorts assumed ownership of the former fishing vessel in 2012 when the previous owner incurred significant debts which could not be recovered by receivers.
While the derelict vessel had been idle at the wharf since then, there was significant work undertaken behind the scenes to secure its future, including for humanitarian efforts – all of which unfortunately fell through.
TasPorts Harbour Master, Mick Wall said removing the vessel from Macquarie Wharf to the Domain Slip and "deconstructing" it in Hobart early in 2023 was a sad but sensible decision.
"Removing the vessel was important for two reasons," he said.
"One, we obviously did not want the vessel to sink and obstruct the berth for other shipping and two, it was important to ease berthing congestion in the port given the return of cruise ships to Tasmania and visits by Antarctic and Southern Ocean research vessels.
"It was in an unseaworthy and very poor condition, with significant corrosion and couldn't be moved under her own steam.
"Having the vessel sit at anchor in Hobart would have posed a significantly greater risk to both recreational boat users and the waterways of Hobart in general.
Given the poor state of repair and real risk of becoming a shipping hazard if sunk, TasPorts took the decision to remove and demolish the vessel.
"If the vessel had sunk at a berth, the cost to salvage it would have been significant.
"In addition, a sunken vessel is considered a risk to both the environment and commercial shipping.
Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Donald said TasPorts role was to facilitate trade and logistics solution to benefit the community and create value to our customers," he said.
"We simply can't accept risks that might impede our capacity to support and enable safe shipping movements or pose a threat to the marine environment, no matter how noble a cause might be," Mr Donald said.
"It was prudent for TasPorts to take those steps given the emerging risks," he said.