A bulk carrier that lost power off the NSW coast south of Sydney is being dragged to safety after fears it could crash into cliffs during wild weather.
The stricken vessel was on Monday evening being towed into deeper waters approximately 20 kilometres east to be repaired, in an operation involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the NSW Port Authority.
The 170-metre Hong Kong registered bulk carrier Portland Bay dropped anchors about one nautical mile off Garie Beach – between Sydney and Wollongong – after losing power about 7.30am.
Australia’s transport safety watchdog has already flagged it may investigate how the ship lost power to prevent a repeat of the situation.
In a statement on Monday, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it was taking an “active interest” and was gathering information to assess whether it should investigate.
“The ATSB acknowledges the potential seriousness of a stricken bulk carrier being so close to shore, both for the crew onboard and for the natural environment,” the statement said.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet earlier on Monday said the state and Commonwealth were working together to rescue the ship.
“It’s a precarious position,” he told reporters.
The SL Diamantina tug boat pointed the bow of the ship out towards the open sea to slow its drift toward the coast.
A second tug boat, the Bullara, then arrived to tow the bulk carrier further away from the coast.
A third tugboat arrived later on Monday afternoon.
“Hopefully tomorrow morning this will all be over,” NSW Port Authority chief operating officer John Finch told reporters.
Plans to fly the ship’s 21 crew members to safety have been put on hold, with the weather making an air evacuation dangerous and the ship’s anchors preventing it from drifting further towards the coast.
“The master asked to keep his crew on board because at this point they are confident they can make an engine repair once they get out into safer waters,” Mr Finch said.
The crew have identified the suspected problem, in bearings inside the main engine, and believe they have the spare parts and staff on board to fix it.
“If there’s no further issues it should be a relatively straightforward repair,” Mr Finch said.
The ship isn’t carrying anything besides its own fuel and oil.
By Jack Gramenz in Sydney
Get the latest news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
