Warrnambool’s maligned boat ramp claimed another victim on Thursday afternoon when ute and boat trailer sunk in Lady Bay.
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The Holden Rodeo and trailer were under water from about 3.50pm and a large crowd gathered to watch through the afternoon.
The vehicle was pulled out of the water by a tow truck about 6.15pm and the trailer was out shortly after.
Warrnambool man Phillip Pirotta, who was driving the vehicle, was the sole occupant and was not injured in the mishap.
Mr Pirotta said he was backing his boat into the ramp when the incident occurred.
“I backed my boat into the boat ramp and hopped in the boat to drive it off the trailer,” he said.
“The car started rolling backwards.
“I jumped out of the boat and jumped back in the car and tried to save it.
“It was too late, it was gone, it was under.”
Mr Pirotta said it was a combination of a slippery boat ramp and waves that dragged the car in.
“The Warrnambool boat ramp is notoriously known for its slipperiness and with the surges of the waves it got a hold of the trailer and boat and car and dragged them in,” he said.
Mr Pirotta said he would like Warrnambool City Council to improve the ramp.
“This is another vehicle that’s a victim to the Warrnambool boat ramp,” he said.
“It’s happened many times before and it will keep happening unless this ramp is improved.
“Fix the ramp Warrnambool council.”
But the council said the Port of Warrnambool was owned by the state government and it had pushed for action on the ramp.
“Council has twice applied to the Victorian Government for funding to improve the ramp. These recent applications have been unsuccessful,” a council spokesman said.
“It is the responsibility of the boat ramp user to determine the risk of using the ramp given the prevailing conditions.
“It is the responsibility of the car owner to remove their car and trailer from the water.
“If the ramp is considered unsafe, advisory signs will be displayed.”
The council spokesman said if the vehicle was removed quickly from the water it should not be an environmental hazard.
Council will also review CCTV footage to see if the incident was recorded.
The incident had caused other boat users to use a beach access point near The Pavilion Cafe and Bar to get their boats in the water.
