Real Journeys confirmed this week extra remedial work prolonged the scheduled five-week survey on the Kelvin Heights slipway.
Real Journeys chief executive Richard Lauder said original steel plating below the lower deck was found to be more corroded than expected, when the timber decking was removed for replacement.
"While it is disappointing the TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship will now not be back in service for the school holidays, Walter Peak farm tours and barbecue lunches will still be run as per usual using our launch."
Earnslaw and Walter Peak operations manager Angus Small said yesterday about 35 staff, contractors and shipwrights were about two weeks into the project. The team worked over Queen's Birthday Weekend.
The planks of the first new decking in 50 years were to be laid this week while work continued on the steel plates.
"There's a significant amount of work to do, but productivity is excellent and we're making good headway," Mr Small said.
"All the preparatory work does take time, but we want to make sure we're doing the underside 100% right before decking with 800 lineal metres of kwila timber."
