Massive Barge Washes Ashore at Alkimos Beach After Storm Breaks Moorings
A massive support barge, intended to be positioned more than a kilometre offshore, has washed up on the shores of Alkimos Beach following severe overnight storms on Monday. The barge is a key component of the marine works for the Alkimos Desalination Plant but broke free from its moorings during the turbulent weather.
Recovery Efforts and Project Impact
Crews worked extensively throughout Tuesday to stabilise the beached barge at Alkimos Beach, employing an excavator to dig into the sand for better anchorage. The vessel has been secured for Tuesday night as recovery operations continue. A Water Corporation spokesperson confirmed that the barge, which is the smaller of two being used in the project, was not damaged. However, they could not provide a specific timeline for when it would be towed back to deeper waters.
Importantly, the incident is not expected to affect the overall Alkimos Desalination Plant project. This initiative is crucial for boosting Perth's drinking water supply, aiming to deliver an additional 50 billion litres annually by 2028. The spokesperson also assured that no one was on board the barge during the incident, and there is no risk of leaks since no fuel was being carried.
Safety Precautions and Public Advisory
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the Alkimos Beach area while recovery efforts are ongoing to ensure safety and facilitate the operations. The Water Corporation continues to monitor the situation closely, with updates expected as the recovery progresses.
This unexpected beaching highlights the challenges of marine construction in adverse weather conditions, but officials remain confident in the project's timeline and environmental safeguards.
