And to think , I waited 17 minutes

Submitted: Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 12:28
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Ferry waits of up to a day !


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-02/cooper-creek-ferry-birdsville-races/2867798
Robin Miller

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 13:35

Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 13:35
Judging by the photo, Robin, south bound traffic is very scarce.

We came across in June, the day after the ferry opened, and probably waited for 20 minutes. That was time well spent taking photos, and jiving the only couple ahead of us, about whether the ferry would sink, with their dual cab on it.

It's an amazing spot, especially when you consider ALL the Cooper water has to flow down that one channel. Further upstream the Cooper can be up to 50 kms wide, when in flood. A truly magic part of the country.

Bob.
Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 14:10

Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 14:10
It is Bob.

I hope those going up , realize it will be clogged coming back down.

2 years ago we went up on the monday after races and estimated 500 cars passed us coming down in the 6-7 hours we were on the track.


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Reply By: Member -Daazara - Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 22:39

Friday, Sep 02, 2011 at 22:39
There was a rather long delay Monday afternoon when a motorhome got hung up driving off the ferry. As our plane flew away from the punt crossing, there were twenty-one assorted vehicles lined up waiting to cross and on the flight back to Marree, we counted another eight on the road headed up there. Doubt that too many of them would have crossed once the motorhome was freed as by then the light was fading. (At least they would have been equipped for camping!) That evening in Marree there was a group of somewhere between fifty and eighty gathering around the pub to head up the next day and the caravan park was chock-a-block with others, most seemingly heading north. Glad we were heading south.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 08:26

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 08:26
Hi Peter

I have wondered why for this cruical week that there isn't a second ferry crew and lights to enable it to run at night.
Its a pretty easy water body.
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Follow Up By: Member -Daazara - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 21:11

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 21:11
Hi Robin,

Sorry for the late reply - have been out of area. Met a couple yesterday at Silverton who told us that the next day one of the outboards broke down. Apparently the call went out over the radio network and was responded to by a couple of blokes from way down the queue who came forward. The ferry continued back and to while they hung over the side for a few trips and successfully fixed it. Just got to love living in this country.

Got a few thoughts as to why your lights and second ferry crew idea isn't a goer - not certain on this but isn't it government run?
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Reply By: IronMan - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 10:33

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 10:33
This is probably WAY off topic, but I have often thought what sort of an idea it might be for the Army Sappers to go in and construct the concrete supports for a Bailey Bridge. Then when it does flood, they can organise a wonderful deployment to lay the steel bridge. That way the folks on the other side of the Cooper still get their "milk and bread" delivered, too.

Excepting the monetary thing, it would be a tossup between keeping the historical aspect of the ferry, and keeping the track more open (more up-track floods permitting).
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 11:53

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 11:53
Good idea, Ironie, but there wouldn't be enough votes in that country, to warrent the expense.

Bob.
Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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