The Tuapeka Mouth ferry was damaged when contractors moved it out of the river on to a slipway on the Tuapeka Mouth side of the Clutha River.
No other details were available from the Clutha District Council last night and it is not known when the punt will be back in service.
The bridge across the Tuapeka River was closed about 10 weeks ago, when engineers discovered steel beams holding the structure up were seriously rusted.
Residents wanting to travel from Tuapeka West to Balclutha and further south had to take the long way round, through Lawrence and the Manuka Gorge.
A footbridge was installed for pedestrians.
Recent high river flows had left the punt in a bad state of repair, Clutha District Council district assets manager Jules Witt said.
Contractors moved the craft late one night and damaged it, putting it out of commission while repairs were made.
The bridge repairs are on track for completion before the end of this month.
Mr Witt said work had been delayed recently by high river levels.
Contractors would be calling in extra labour.
They could be working "around the clock" to ensure the bridge opened before the end of the month.
The bridge would be reopened to traffic late on Friday, June 26, as originally scheduled.
