A bulk carrier owned by Hong Kong-based Pacific Basin has been towed to Port Botany this afternoon (6 July), after bad weather hindered earlier salvage efforts.
The 2004-built 28,000 dwt Portland Bay had lost power after a storm on 4 July, causing the ship to drift less than 2km from Sydney. An initial attempt to tow the ship was aborted after tow lines snapped amid the storm.
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However, weather conditions improved today and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said that prompt action had to be taken as rain is expected tomorrow.
AMSA said, “The vessel must comply with the direction to move to harbour today as more bad weather is forecast for Thursday. AMSA has been working closely with the appointed salvor to task emergency towing vessel Glenrock in combination with other tug assets supporting the vessel, to move Portland Bay to assist with repairs to the stricken vessel.”
Including Glenrock, which arrived from Newcastle port, four tugs attended to the stricken vessel, which was boarded by two marine pilots from the Port Authority of New South Wales to help bring the ship into the harbour.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
