Swan River seaplane wreckage recovery operation complete

The Department of Transport wishes to advise that the operation to remove the seaplane wreckage from the Swan River has been successfully completed.

DoT, in partnership with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPW) and WA Police and with the assistance of Total Australian Maritime Services (TAMS), led the recovery operation since Friday January 27.

General Manager Marine Safety DoT Ray Buchholz acknowledged the work of all agencies and teams involved.

"The removal of the wreckage from the crash site was effectively completed on late Saturday, with a final underwater sweep of the crash site conducted on Sunday. I would like to thank our agency partners, the TAMS salvage team and Bentley Crane Hire who have worked closely with DoT to ensure the prompt removal of the wreckage. I would also like to thank the public for their cooperation in observing the exclusion zone," said Ray.

The wreckage is now the responsibility of the ATSB and their investigation is ongoing.

River users are advised that the marked exclusion zone has been lifted as of Monday January 30, 2017.