Bulk Carrier Drifts Over Great Barrier Reef After Engine Failure, Sparks Shipping Concerns

An oil spill was averted in the Great Barrier Reef as authorities came to the rescue of a drifting bulk sugar carrier. It was eventually blown over at Shark Reef.

The ID Integrity crew rapidly dumped ballast from the ship to reduce its draft as much as possible as it floated across the reef over the weekend. Luckily, the Hong Kong-flagged vessel with its broken-down engine managed to miss the Osprey Reef.

The near miss occurred after the ship's engine failed on Friday and has provoked outbursts for a major review of Reef shipping regulations and for Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to place a suspension on port development, reports The Australian.

Three tugs have come to the aid of the Integrity, with the first getting a line aboard early yesterday. Tugs were in the process of moving the ship southeast and away from a collision with the World Heritage-listed Reef. A decision as to where it will go for repairs has not yet been announced. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) stated that it was unknown how much heavy bunker oil was onboard, but the ship could carry 720 tons.

The ship's location, known as the Coral Sea Islands Territory, is infamous for its powerful trade winds. During this incident, wind gusts were recorded at nearly 35 miles per hour. A WWF-Australia spokesman suggests that the ship's hull should be inspected in case it brushed the reef. Many believe it is obvious that Australia dodged a disaster by inches. The industry wants an independent investigation into shipping that includes issues such as the best routes, pilotage, deployment of pollution gear and tugs and, particularly, what Australia could do to ensure the seaworthiness of offshore-flagged ships and the ability of their crews.

Latest Update from AMSA (http://www.amsa.gov.au):

12:00pm AEST 20 May 2012

At around 8:30am AEST today, the ETV Pacific Responder connected a towline to the ID Integrity. The PT Kotor has disconnected its towline and is standing by, ready to provide assistance as required. The PB Leichhardt is also in attendance, providing an escort for the towing operation. The PT Kotor will remain on scene as required.

The Pacific Responder will now alter its course to the south-west and commence towing the vessel to Townsville (a journey of approximately three days, weather dependent), where the owners will arrange for repairs to the engine to be undertaken.