Skipper John Searles converted his 60-year-old Wanera from steam to diesel and from Cargo to carrying tourists.Paddle boats are being forced from the Murray River because channels are drying up.***** lowest level for years.Every weir and lock is being used to hold the pool level as high as possible.Paddle boats cannot operate between Renmark and Mildura because of a series of sandbars and snags.The passenger boat Coonawarra, which used to run between Renmark and Mildura, had to turn back below Wentworth because of sand and a snaggy point. April 20, 1953.