Visitor observatory ashore for repairs

The Southern Discoveries Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Sound Underwater Observatory building after being refloated, moved and secured on shore at Deepwater Basin. PHOTOS: SOUTHERN DISCOVERY

The Southern Discovery observatory in Milford Sound has been safely towed to shallow waters, where it will undergo repairs after being damaged in a storm last month.

The visitor section of the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory building in Harrison’s Cove was reported as partially underwater when a pontoon was storm-damaged at the start of September, Environment Southland said in a statement this week.

The building was immediately secured and steps taken to ensure against any potential oil spill.

Closer inspection revealed three of five pontoon buildings had been damaged.

The recovery was a delicate operation — acknowledging both the remote location, the sensitivity of the area and ongoing weather events in September which restricted access to Milford Sound.

The building on the day of its official launch by minister of conservation Kate Wilkinson in November, 2010.

All three damaged pontoon buildings were refloated and safely towed across the sound late last week.

They have been secured ashore at Deep Water Basin, where deconstruction and removal from Milford Sound will take place.

Southland harbourmaster Lyndon Cleaver said New Zealand Diving and Salvage had done a good job managing the recovery and keeping all parties informed of progress.