South Australian police are asking for information from the public after two excavators used in dredging operations at the mouth of the Murray River were extensively damaged.
A police spokesperson said the damage occurred between 5pm on Friday and 7am on Monday when the excavators were parked near the Murray mouth.
The excavators belong to a contractor Maritime Constructions, which carries out dredging for SA Water.
A spokesperson for SA Water said the excavators were replaced today so dredging could continue.
As they were taken off the beach the extent of damage to the cabs was apparent — smashed windows, missing doors and wrecked internal fittings.
The mouth of the Murray River is only accessible by boat, hikers or by 4WD tracks from the Goolwa Beach on-ramp 12km away.
Access to the Goolwa Beach on-ramp was affected briefly on Thursday to allow the excavators to be loaded onto trucks and transported off the beach.
The cost of the damage is still being assessed.
Dredging of the mouth of the Murray River recommenced in November after operations stopped for the first time in six years as a result of 2022-23 flooding.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.