Douglas Shire Council has outlined the next steps required to restore full operations of the Daintree Ferry, with several key repair activities now underway or nearing completion.
Assessments of the ferry’s damage are largely complete and we are now well into the process of ordering parts and replacing the components that need attention.
Council is now preparing to request a temporary operating permit from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). This permit would allow the ferry to be used for essential services only — including clearing debris from the riverbed and transporting machinery associated with installing the new anchor point on the northern bank — but will not allow the transport of passengers.
The final stages of the repair process will include a full sea trial and systems test, followed by a request to lift the restricted‑use permit so normal scheduled services can resume.
At this stage the ferry is not expected to be operational as a ferry service for at least another 14 days.
Important to note - any wet weather will slow operations.