Port Stephens maritime community rallies around Milanja family Port POPUP - DAupdate Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - June 7, 2023 Salvage crews from Port Stephens and the Hunter have worked tirelessly with the Milanja family to recover the Kendon B. THE maritime and greater community of Port Stephens have rallied around the Milanja family as their much-loved fishing trawler and livelihood, the Kendon B, had to be recovered from D’Albora Marina last Tuesday. The vessel sank on its mooring on Friday 19 May which came as a double blow to the Milanja’s as Miro, owner and operator of the Kendon B, has recently been discharged from hospital battling serious health issues. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Mark Milanja, eldest son of Miro, has been on hand with his brothers Mitch and Matt assisting local authorities and salvage teams around the clock since the trawler first sank. “It’s been a rough trot recently with dad in hospital and we were all finally getting back on our feet putting some work into the Kendon,” said Mark. “We’re running on fumes with little sleep at the moment working with local and regional crews in an attempt to save our trawler.” Dustin Besse, Director of Sea Marine and Diving Services, headed up operations to salvage the vessel and said that due to the size and scale it needed to be floated from its mooring and lifted by crane at the co-op wharf. “The trawler is estimated to be between 60 to 70 tons and lifting it from its mooring wasn’t an option,” said Mr Besse. “Our crews floated the Kendon from the bottom of the marina and then towed it across to the co-op wharf where it’s being lifted by a recovery crane. “The crane can carry payloads of up to 100 tons and once lifted we’ll airbag the Kendon so Mark and the family can begin to pump it out and hopefully recover as much as they can.” Mark said the support from the local community has been overwhelming and that they hoped to get the Kendon B back into working condition over the next few weeks in order to make the difficult decision to sell. “We really have to thank all the local maritime authorities and the incredible support that’s been shown to our family over the last couple of weeks,” said Mark. “The crew from the Moonshadow and Nelson Bay Boat Hire have gone above and beyond as well as Barry Gamer, Ken Banney and James White.” There is currently a Go Fund Me set up to assist the family through this difficult time. Head to www.gofundme.com/f/sinking-of-the-kendon-b-please-support-miro, with any amount going a long way. By Mitch LEES The Kendon B floating just above the surface of the co-op wharf as the crane begins to take the weight. The vessel floating on its own accord Wednesday morning.
