Qld: Rough seas prevent damaged coal carrier docking

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2010
Qld: Rough seas prevent damaged coal carrier docking

BRISBANE, April 22 AAP - Poor weather will prevent a coal carrier which ran aground
in the Great Barrier Reef being towed in to the central Queensland port of Gladstone until
May 3.

Attempts to manoeuvre the Shen Neng 1 with a flotilla of tugs failed and Maritime Safety
Queensland (MSQ) called off plans for further sea trials on Friday due to forecasts of
continuing poor weather and "lumpy" seas.

MSQ general manager Patrick Quirk said the trials were needed to assess the ship's
manoeuvrability before moving the carrier into the Port of Gladstone.

He said the decision to postpone the trials until weather conditions improved were
based on the results of manoeuvres carried out by MSQ pilots off the port early on Thursday.

"The behaviour of the ship and tugs in the prevailing weather conditions was not suitable
for an approach to the port and the weather report tells us these conditions do not appear
to be easing in the short term," Mr Quirk said.

"Tug crews had great difficulty securing lines to the ship and four tug lines broke
in the lumpy conditions."

Mr Quirk said the ship would be moved to a safe anchorage where it was expected to
remain until the next favourable high tide opportunity on or about May 3.

"We have always said we would take a risk-based approach this operation," he said.

"We need to see the right combination of high tides and decent weather conditions before
we will proceed."

The Shen Neng 1 was towed from an emergency anchorage off Barren Island on Wednesday night.

No oil was lost from the vessel during the transit and no losses have been reported
since the vessel was brought down the coast to where it is at anchor 18km off Gladstone.

Two oil response vessels which escorted the ship will remain on standby while the Shen
Neng 1 rides at anchor.

The Shen Neng 1 hit the Douglas Shoal on Easter Saturday, spilling up to four tonnes
of heavy fuel oil from its ruptured fuel tank and causing extensive damage to the reef.

AAP stg/pjo/ht

KEYWORD: CARRIER 2ND WRAP

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.