Scuba divers are concerned the closure of the only steps to the water at Port Lincoln’s wharf has created safety concerns, including for thousands of cruise ship passengers who visit the regional city.

Key points:

  • If somebody falls into the water they will have to swim ashore to the rock retaining wall
  • The ladder was also used by scuba divers to access the water for courses
  • Authorities are assessing the structure and remain committed to providing a ladder or stairs

The recreational arm of the wharf, which allows public access for fishing and walking, is a sheltered 10-metre deep learning area for scuba divers, some who go on to work in the aquaculture industry as professional divers.

The Dive Shop Port Lincoln owner Leo Stewart has been using the area for 18 years and coordinated repairs to the lower end of the access steps only a month ago.

The repairs were approved and paid for by the SA Department of Infrastructure and Transport, but the entire structure has since been condemned and closed. 

Mr Stewart said divers wanted access to the water but the absence of stairs potentially affected all wharf users.

“If somebody falls in now, there’s a life ring with a rope but there’s no way of actually getting them out of the water — unless it’s 100 metres away to the rocks,” Mr Stewart said.

The Dive Shop owner Leo Stewart says the closure has created a safety risk.(Supplied: Leo Stewart)

Closure a ‘temporary’ measure

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) said it was assessing the stairs.

“The stairs at the Port Lincoln [wharf] jetty have been temporarily closed for safety reasons following an inspection, which identified some deterioration,” the spokesperson said.

“Planning is underway to determine whether the stairs can be repaired or require replacement.

“The closure of the stairs is a temporary measure to ensure public safety.”

The DIT spokesperson said it was committed to providing a ladder or stairs.

“The department intends to continue to provide access to the water from the stairs in the future.”

Learner divers enter the water using steps that have since been closed.(Supplied: Leo Stewart)

Mr Stewart was disappointed the stair closure came just one month after he coordinated repairs to the bottom section.

“We had the opportunity to repair the steps just before Christmas, dealing with ports [operators] themselves, the engineer over in Adelaide [who] gave us the green light to do it,” he said.

Anyone who falls into the water will have to swim ashore to the rock retainer wall.(ABC Eyre Peninsula: Jodie Hamilton)

They managed to run one dive course but then the steps were closed.

“Apparently it’s too expensive to replace,” Mr Stewart said.

Mr Stewart said there had been two other access points but they had both deteriorated and were removed permanently.