North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

Matt, there was a video on facbook of someone getting towed up the new ramp by the tractor. It was a Triton 4wd near the lower end of the ramp.

My guess is that it will need to be dredged at the end of each wet season as the monsoon will push sand up the beach. I have no idea whether it will be enough to keep it clear until the following year.

Edit: Found the video.
https://www.facebook.com/chad.cragan/vi ... 749215142/

geez who would have predicted that a halfarsed poorly designed project would fail?
i thought that it would take at least a month to silt up, looks like it was way less. I wonder how the 'channel' they dredged is fairing? bet its full as well

All this after the public announcement just a few weeks ago from the fisheries minister talking up the NTs 'only ALL TIDE RAMP!!!!'

Serves him right for trying to claim the cudos for the CLPs half arsed attempt at building a decent facility.

At least the Shady ramp seems to be on the back burner (for now).

Everyone knew this was going to happen but I have heard the lodge is no longer offering tractor service so it is only a matter of time before someone gets sunk

FITZY wrote:Everyone knew this was going to happen but I have heard the lodge is no longer offering tractor service so it is only a matter of time before someone gets sunk

Now that's a problem if th tractors aren't working.

AM wrote:

FITZY wrote:Everyone knew this was going to happen but I have heard the lodge is no longer offering tractor service so it is only a matter of time before someone gets sunk

Now that's a problem if th tractors aren't working.

Just launch and retrieve at a higher tide?

The Lodge might loose some business with people being able to launch easily from mid tide and above. But they could still get some of the action if they offer the service for the lower tide retrievals and also for some of the bigger 8m plus boats around.

Went and had a look last weekend, it should be ok for most boats from half tide up. The end is definitely sanding up. The other thing I noticed was that there was little to no parking. Did I miss it?

dannett wrote:The Lodge might loose some business with people being able to launch easily from mid tide and above. But they could still get some of the action if they offer the service for the lower tide retrievals and also for some of the bigger 8m plus boats around.

They don't want that action. There is no money in watching you gear rust away in salt water. 8 meters plus is tough on any ramp peat alone any sand or wave action. Very bad result for the big boat guys. I suggest if this is true it is only because of the time of year. When it gets busy they will probably start assisting again but no guarantee. If they don't it's a problem for people with a boat like I used to have up there.
Not surprising though.

Very challenging to design a ramp with huge tides and a monsoon that blows onshore. Still plenty of tidal room to operate. Remains to be seen how much worse it gets tho.

I agree Matt and that's not taking into account the political and budgetary challenges.

Until the monsoons have passed and things return to normal it's hard to judge. I am sure that parts of Nightcliff foreshore have ended up covered in sand again too with the weather we just had. Buff creek sandbar has probably moved again.

Once the weather returns to the normal steady state we will see. It's unfortunate timing (or planning) to finish up and have a monsoon come through and mess it all up.

Plus the tractors only work reduced or no hours at this time of year normally.

Matt Flynn wrote:Very challenging to design a ramp with huge tides and a monsoon that blows onshore. Still plenty of tidal room to operate. Remains to be seen how much worse it gets tho.

Just needs a rock bar or groin out the front may be two slightly over lapping .