ZOE Bartsch has returned to the Murray River she loves to help Paddle Steamer Melbourne to get off to a smooth start in its new era.

Ms Bartsch, 32, was operating train steam engines in Gympie in Queensland when she received an SOS from PS Melbourne's new owner, Echuca shipwright Adam Auditori.

Mr Auditori bought the paddle steamer mid-last year and to his surprise, was approved to start cruisin...