Tugboat skipper a "hero" for keeping Riverwalk away from Gateway Bridge

The Australian - 

A Brisbane tugboat captain is being hailed a hero after shepherding a breakaway section of the city's Riverwalk through floodwaters to prevent it colliding with a major bridge.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said today the skipper's skilful work had "saved lives". "He is a local hero."

Concerns the 300m-section of boardwalk could crash into the supports of the Gateway Bridge caused it to be shadowed by water police as it floated down the swollen Brisbane River and out to Moreton Bay.

The section had broken away at about 11pm at New Farm last night and gathered debris as it moved.

The police launch Vigilant was used to escort the platform down the river.

Dramatic television footage this morning showed it being nudged by the tugboat to keep it away from boats and the bridge.

"That was some of the most extraordinary footage we have seen. That guy is a local hero," Ms Bligh said.

"I think there is a children's book called The Little Tugboat That Could and I was watching it thinking 'I think I can, I think I can'."

Asked if "tugboat guy" should get an order of Australia - as Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd suggested earlier today - Ms Bligh joked that "at the very least, he deserves a beer".

Mr Rudd praised the work of the tugboat crew, saying it was "extraordinary seamanship".

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