Houseboat runs aground at Kingscliff Beach

A DAMAGED houseboat ran aground at Kingscliff Beach last week, causing the Tweed Shire Council to close the beach for several days.

The lead agency, NSW Maritime, requested council assistance with the removal of the vessel, clean-up, and debris collection.

Crews secured the hull and bow of the grounded vessel using ropes and large concrete blocks, and teams returned the following day at low tide with heavy machinery to remove the remaining parts of the boat.

During the removal process, the vessel was affected by wave action and continued to break apart, with debris washing ashore along the coastline.

A council spokesperson stated on social media that 99 per cent of the shipwreck had been removed.

“They’ve worked hard, sifting sand by hand and machine to clear the area, but please continue to use caution if you’re visiting, as splintered material may still remain,” the spokesperson said.

 

“The site will be rechecked for any debris exposed by tidal movement, and our team will continue monitoring the beach over the coming weeks for any further debris washed up.”

While few details on the circumstances of the incident are available at the time of writing, Tweed resident Tully Paddon responded on social media that he knew the history of the vessel.

“The boat’s name is HMAS Belfast, and my dad used to own it,” Paddon said.

“I spent a good part of my life living on it in Evans Head. It was sold to a man in Ballina who passed away not long after he obtained it. It was then sold in a deteriorating state to someone unknown for next to nothing.

“It’s sad to see such a classic piece of my own and Australian history go to waste. Anyone can buy a boat, not anyone can maintain and use one correctly.”

For information or to report debris on the coastline, visit brnw.ch/21wWCQB