Oceanlinx wave energy device ‘greenWAVE’ sank during the transportation from Port Adelaide to Port MacDonnell where it was supposed to be deployed, and has since been stranded in Yankalilla Bay, South Australia.
Following the accident, Oceanlinx announced it is going into liquidation , leaving the wave energy converter stranded 1.4 km off Carrickalinga, a coastal town in SA.
Department of Planning, Transportation and Infrastructure (DPTI) said the Oceanlinx, and its liquidator, are responsible for the removal of the device.
Victor Harbor Times, SA news publisher, reports that unless the liquidators are able to remove the device, the SA government may step in, but no specific timeframe has been given.
DPTI has established a restricted area around the Oceanlinx wave energy converter. The restricted area is an approximate 200 x 200 metre box, marked by yellow special markers on its corner points.
Unauthorised vessels and persons are prohibited from entering the restricted area at all times.
Failure to comply is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of approximately USD 950 (AUD 1.250).
“DPTI cannot provide any timeline for the removal of the wave generator at Carrickalinga, as all options must be considered and a safe, environmentally friendly method of removal has been determined,” Victor Harbor Times reports a spokesperson for DPTI as saying.
Take a look at the video released by DPTI about the restricted area around Oceanlinx wave energy device.
Image: DPTI