THE AUSTRALIAN Transport Safety Bureau is progressing with its investigation into the Portland Bay incident, having published a timeline of events leading up to the ship’s loss of power.
Bulk carrier Portland Bay lost engine power off the New South Wales coast in July last year and came perilously close to grounding on the rocks south of Botany Bay.
The ATSB today (28 March) published its interim report detailing the propulsion failure that almost caused a disaster.
The interim report does not contain analysis or findings – those details will be covered in the final report at the conclusion of the investigation.
The report notes the Hong Kong-flagged Portland Bay was berthed at Port Kembla’s outer harbour when, shortly before 1100 on 3 July 2022, it was directed by vessel traffic service to depart and get a safe distance from the coast, due to heavy winds and swells in the region.
Early the following morning, the ship was in bad weather off the coast when smoke from the one of the main engine’s auxiliary blowers activated fire detectors.
After the crew stopped the blower, the master found that the engine rpm was unable to go above dead slow ahead (about 42rpm), irrespective of requested engine setting for higher loads.
Subsequently, the master notified the ship’s managers of the situation as a main engine failure.
“After attempts to increase engine rpm proved unsuccessful, just before 7am Portland Bay’s master notified Port Kembla VTS (vessel traffic services) via VHF radio that the ship’s main engine had ‘failed’, that it was drifting towards the coast and requested tug assistance,” ATSB director transport safety Stuart Macleod said.
“After one tug arrived from Sydney and struggled to assist, with tow lines parting on multiple occasions, another two tugs arrived later in the day as the ship drifted closer to the coastline,” he said.
Portland Bay’s master deployed both its anchors to anchor the ship about 1.4 miles from the coast south of Sydney at about 2045.
A fourth, larger tug with greater towing capabilities arrived from Newcastle at about 1300 on 5 July.
It was able to work with the other tugs to tow Portland Bay to berth in Port Botany the following day.
Following the incident, a team of ATSB investigators attended Portland Bay in Port Botany to collect relevant documentary and recorded electronic evidence, and to interview the master and the chief engineer.
The ATSB also obtained relevant evidence from Pacific-Basin Shipping, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Port Authority of New South Wales, Engage Marine, Svitzer Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology.
“As the investigation continues, we will review the ship’s activities and movements in relation to calling at Port Kembla and conduct further analysis of data from the voyage recorder to verify key event times,” Mr Macleod said.
The investigation will also review and assess the ship’s main engine maintenance and performance, including auxiliary blower operation.
“Emergency response, both on board the ship, and by authorities with respect to the state and national plans, will also be reviewed,” Mr Macleod said.
The ATSB plans to release a final report containing analysis, findings and any potential recommendations or safety actions at the conclusion of the investigation.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”
