Australian Broadcasting Corporation news report
Stricken ship drifting towards Great Barrier Reef
Updated May 19, 2012 16:58:10
Updated May 19, 2012 20:31:58
Updated May 20, 2012 16:15:06
Several tug boats have reached a bulk carrier adrift in the Coral Sea near the Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland.
The Hong Kong registered carrier, ID Integrity, had been drifting since its engines broke down on on Friday night en route to Townsville.
It was feared the vessel was going to run aground at Shark Reef, about 175 nautical miles north-east of Cairns, but it just cleared the natural hazard.
A small tug boat initially arrived at the ship's side and attached a line to secure the vessel, before several other boats arrived.
The CEO of Australian Reef Pilots Simon Meyjes says the carrier is being towed to safety.
"Help is already at hand, and my understanding is that the ID Integrity is actually slowly making its way away from the Great Barrier Reef," he said.
The carrier is now being towed to Townsville for repairs, and the Danish owners say there is no longer a risk to the Great Barrier Reef.
Authorities revealed they were bracing for an environmental disaster off when the bulk carrier came within metres of striking the outlying reef.
Mr Meyjes says it could have been a disaster. "I just feel so incredibly relieved that this was a very close call in this instance, but just sheer good luck," he said.
See
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/search.php?query=ID+Integrity&x=36&y=7
Topic: Stricken ship drifting towards Great Barrier Reef (Read 2480 times)