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Thursday 26 January 2012
This weekend is the last chance for cruising on Swan Hill's paddleboat Pyap before it goes into five weeks of routine maintenance and inspection.
On Sunday after its 2.30pm cruise, the Pyap will go into dry dock for maintenance and for the regular February inspection of all vessels on the Murray River by NSW Maritime.
The Pyap will return to the water for the Swan Hill Region Food and Wine Festival weekend in March.
Works while in dry dock will include repainting the hull. There will also be remedial works in accordance with NSW Maritime requirements – they will be known after the out of water inspection.
Pioneer Settlement General Manager Tony Jenkins said preliminary site inspections already undertaken with NSW Maritime indicated the Pyap was in very good condition.
“It is expected that any remedial works will allow the Pioneer Settlement to apply for a four year licence, allowing for a floating survey in coming years rather than going into dry dock,” Mr Jenkins said.
He said the Pyap continued to grow in popularity, during its regular cruises and for special functions.
He said that increase had been especially evident during the Christmas and New Year period.
“The vessel is being used a lot more by local people, for social club functions and celebrations – we saw a huge increase in usage this Christmas,” he said.
“Also this year it was used on New Year's Eve for a private function, to watch fireworks from middle of the river, which was spectacular.”
Mr Jenkins encouraged local people and visitors to take a cruise this weekend.
“You might have kids on school holidays, or people in Swan Hill visiting – now is the time to take them for a trip on our iconic Pyap,” he said.
Pyap cruises will run daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
There is a 15 per cent discount on Pyap tickets when local people bring along their visitors.
Entry to the Pioneer Settlement is free for residents of the Swan Hill Rural City Council.
For information, contact the Pioneer Settlement on 5036 2410.
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