Source : Perth Now news
Efforts are under way to refloat a ship that grounded off a major east coast port.
The Liberian-registered bulk carrier Cape Falcon ran aground off the Queensland port of Gladstone on Friday.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it was investigating but was not involved in efforts to refloat the vessel, which was stuck south of the bunkering anchorage.
“No injuries have been reported to the ship’s crew, and no damage, hull breaches or pollution have been reported,” the bureau said in a statement on Monday.
Bureau officials will visit the ship to conduct interviews and collect evidence and data.
Information from the ship’s voyage data recorder will be preserved and investigators will collect ship tracking data, weather information and crew, operator and maintenance records.
The bureau will release a preliminary report in about two months.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken,” it said.
Gladstone is Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port, handling more than 30 different products, led by coal, LNG, alumina, and aluminium, in addition to agricultural products, cement, petroleum and hazardous bulk liquids.
