A VEHICLE ferry which became stuck on a ramp at Russell Island on Sunday has been refloated.
Sealink Travel Group chief executive Jeff Ellis, whose company operates Stradbroke Ferries, said the barge became grounded on Sunday afternoon after its engine control cable broke while berthing.
He said about 15 people arriving at the island and 10 queued to depart were caught up in the issue, with the boat not refloated until the next day.
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Some commuters who witnessed the incident said the barge was berthed too quickly but Mr Ellis said the mechanical failure and receding tide was the cause of the problem.
“The vessel did berth higher than normal due to the mechanical failure,” he said.
“Most customers understand this unusual and unfortunate incident.”
Sealink notified its customers of a temporary suspension in vehicle ferry services to and from Russell Island on Sunday afternoon via a notice on their website and Facebook page.
Customers with contact details known to the company were also phoned and no residents from other SMBIs were affected, Mr Ellis said.
The grounded vessel meant other ferries were unable to access Russell Island via the ramp, meaning services were stopped overnight and the next morning.
Some Russell Island residents have since complained about Stradbroke Ferries’ service reliability, given fares will be increased from next month.
Sealink has been approached for a response to those concerns.
Tug boats pushed the barge from the ramp on Monday about noon.
Video footage shows two trucks being used to shift the ship’s weight balance as part of efforts to help get the barge off the ground.
Mr Ellis said repairs for the broken cable and the outgoing tide on Sunday afternoon meant the boat needed to stay grounded at the ramp overnight on Sunday and the next morning.