Using specialised heavy-duty inflatable airbags designed for lifting heavy boats, the Comerong Island Ferry was hauled out of the water for its five-year inspection and refurbishment.
The 50-tonne cable ferry provides access between Lower Numbaa and Comerong Island, home to around 20 residents, who will have access to a pedestrian ferry during the service outage.
The works will take approximately 12 weeks to complete before it's inspected to ensure the vessel meets construction and safety standards.
"The out of water survey is critical to ensuring the long-term safety and viability of the service and must be carried out every five years for certification," Cr White said.
"Comerong Island is absolutely stunning and the ferry is the only public mode of transport for taking cars, locals and tourists across this small stretch of water at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River," she said.
"This is the first year we've used airbags to remove the ferry, which provides a safe and stable lift, and is more economical than the heavy crane we would typically use."
The refurbishment works include sandblasting, ultrasonic sheet testing, re-sheeting and repainting.
Members of the public are unable to access Comerong Island during the ferry service closure. The ferry is planned to be back in service by the end of November.
Updates on the works and return of service can be found onCouncil's project page.
