The city council’s social, community development and housing committee will meet on September 4 to consider approving a $36,806 heritage incentive grant to the Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society.
The society needs to raise $83,240 to pay for a warrant of fitness on the vessel which will allow it to carry passengers.
Preservation Society head stoker Mike Bruce said about half the money has already been raised. The fundraiser was boosted by $10,000 last week from the city council’s metropolitan discretionary response fund.
The society has until mid-September to secure the funding so the survey, known as a warrant of fitness can be carried out on the 112-year-old vessel.
If the society doesn’t meet the deadline, the vessel carrying passengers will be delayed for another season.
The assessment requires the vessel to be taken out of the water for repairs and inspection to ensure it is safe – the latest it can be done is the end of next month.
However, it was completed too late and caused the society to struggle financially because it hasn’t carried passengers in three years.
Said Mr Bruce: “All these years of hand-to-mouth and going from grant-to-grant has been extremely trying, but once we are able to get out and sail and get some money in, things will be a whole lot better.”
In spite of the time pressure, Mr Bruce is positive the society will achieve its goal.
“Once the survey is done we will start our marketing and get as many bums on seats as we can,” he said.
•If you wish to donate to the Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society, phone Mr Bruce on 022 540 1251
