Rescue Efforts For Stranded Freighter Carrying 1000 Tonnes Of Fuel Halted After 11-Metre Swell
The vessel was 1.8kms away from hitting the coastline of Sydney's Royal National Park
Rescue efforts to save a cargo freighter from crashing into Sydney’s southern coastline have complicated after tug boat towing cables snapped overnight.
A heavy freighter departing Port Kembla experienced engine failure yesterday and was carried dangerously close to the shoreline of Sydney’s Royal National Park by the high-seas from the east coast low-pressure system currently hitting New South Wales.
Experts say that the freighter ‘Portland Bay’ is carrying approximately 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and would cause an environmental disaster if its payload leaked into the ocean.
Operatives from the Port Authority managed to intercept the drifting vessel yesterday as it came 1.8 kilometres away from hitting the shoreline. Due to wild weather and winds exceeding 30 knots, an aerial evacuation to rescue non-essential crew was called off and efforts were made instead to tow the vessel to Port Botany to conduct repairs.
As people move to shelter during the storms, tugboat crews mobilise their tugboat and head out to sea to help save the ship “Portland Bay” and the 21 crew aboard. MUA members who are crewing those tugs are legendary doing what they do. Good luck with this salvage. #SydneyWeather pic.twitter.com/6iTMnlEVi5
— Paul Garrett (@PaulGarrettAU) July 4, 2022
However, while initial rescue efforts were successful, tow lines broke after extreme ocean swell rocked the rescue effort on Monday evening. Port Authority of NSW CEO Captain Philip Holliday told Junkee that an operational decision was made to stop towing the Portland Bay after 11-metre swells hampered the rescue effort.
“The operation to tow the vessel Portland Bay into deeper water last night stalled late in the evening when tow lines broke in the extreme weather and ocean conditions,” Captain Holliday said.
“As a result, the ship was moved northwards towards a more sheltered location where she is now sitting safely approximately 1.2 nautical miles off Port Botany with both anchors deployed and secured. One tug remains connected and whilst another remains close by.”
While the spare parts needed to make the essential repairs to the vessel are currently onboard the Portland Bay, Captain Holliday told Junkee that the crew are unable to make the repairs while the ocean conditions are so wild.
“The crew of the MV Portland Bay has been unable to make the repairs required on board and the incident team’s preference at this time is to bring the ship into Port Botany when the weather abates so repairs can be undertaken in the safety of a berth and port environment.” Captain Holliday said.
“Based on current weather forecasts, it is expected that the ship will remain offshore until at least Wednesday.”
An additional tug boat carrying heavy-duty emergency equipment is currently en route from Newcastle and is expected to arrive by this afternoon.
Photo Credit: Mark Sudin