Novacastrians lined the port and headed for the best vantage points to farewell the former Forgacs floating dock Muloobinba today.
The historic Fort Scratchley guns fired a salute to another departing icon of the city.
The dock is now underway to Singapore then on to a new home port in Africa.
Built in Japan, the floating dock was a major shipping industry asset, serving Newcastle for 34 years. It was a maintenance magnet for the BHP and RAN ships over many years and a long term employer of skilled workers.
The floating dock’s departure reflects a downturn in local shipping activities and signals the next phase in the life of the port.
