Article by Cameron Atfield for the Brisbane Times.
Article source:
brisbanetimes.com.auA cargo ship made its way down the Queensland coast and through the Great Barrier Reef without its crew knowing how to use the bulk carrier's electronic navigation equipment.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority detained the Panama-flagged bulk carrier, the African Alke, in Brisbane on Thursday.
An AMSA spokesman said a port state control inspection found the 177-metre ship's bridge watch-keeping officers were unable to show they could operate the vessel's Electronic Chart Display and Information System.
That system helps ships navigate Australia's defined coastal routes, including through the Great Barrier Reef.
"The vessel was detained because the safety management system had not identified a lack of on board familiarisation training in the use of ECDIS," the AMSA spokesman said.
"The ship's operators have flown an ECDIS trainer in from Singapore to train the crew.
"AMSA will release the ship from detention once it is satisfied the crew have been trained to an appropriate standard and can demonstrate the expected level of competency."
The African Alke remained berthed at Fisherman Islands on Friday morning.
Comment has been sought from the ship's operators, MUR Shipping.
Maritime Union of Australia Queensland branch secretary Bob Carnegie said the African Alke went through the Great Barrier Reef during its journey from Malaysia to Brisbane, via Mackay.
"It's just another example of circumventing Australian laws and doing whatever they want," he said.
"They'll see the Great Barrier Reef destroyed and they'll see massive environmental damage done to this country as long as they can save 30
Show Posts
