Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Should be Deepened

01 Jul, 2006

The Chamber is of the view that that the State Government, through the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, should seriously consider deepening the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.

At the moment, any vessel that draws more than 3.5m enters the harbour at risk. For example, one of the Clipper yachts damaged its rudder when it left the harbour to restart the race. Evidently, it backed onto the rock, which is colloquially known as 'Dennis Conner Rock' in the middle of the harbour, that Dennis drove his 12m yacht Stars and Stripes onto when he first arrived in Fremantle for the America's cup.

The main reason that the Chamber believes this harbour should be deepened is that it would open up the opportunity for super yachts, both sail and power to visit Fremantle and to have work done by our excellent marine industries. Members may have noticed the White Rabbit at the docks of MG Kailis a month or so ago. It was able to get into the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour because it has a catamaran hull and therefore draws considerably less than if it was a more conventional design.

There are literally hundreds of these types of yachts being built around the world at the moment. Fremantle could host them if we had the depth of water to support the excellent facilities that we already have at the Fremantle Boat Lifters.

The Chamber has been included on a Review Committee called by the Minister to look at the strategic planning of our three small harbours and will be using this opportunity to push for deepening.