THE LPG TANKER Victoire, which suffered engine failure in Bass Strait on Friday [4 April] remains adrift off south-east Australia but is in no danger, AMSA says.
DCN understands the salvage-capable Pacific Tug Wambiri, which was despatched from Eden on Sunday morning to attend Victoire, fouled a line from the tanker while attempting to take it in tow, effectively disabling the tug’s propulsion.
Pacific Tug sent its second Eden-based tug, Flinders Bay, to retrieve Wambiri and return it to Eden for clearance of the fouled line, whereupon Wambiri will resume providing assistance to Victoire.
An AMSA spokesman said at 1500 today Victoire is currently 76 km east-south-east of Gabo Island and moving in a northerly direction.
“The situation is still being managed under a commercial arrangement with tug operators.
“The vessel poses no immediate threat to the coastline and weather conditions are improving.
“AMSA is in contact with all parties involved and closely monitoring the situation.”
The tanker departed Western Port at 0850 on 3 April, with AIS showing ‘undefined’ destination, and later reported ‘not under command’. AMSA said that about 1600 on Friday [4 April] it was notified that Victoire had lost main engine power due to a mechanical issue, about 45 km south-east of Mallacoota in Victoria.
The 2005-built, Panama-flagged Victoire is owned by Gas Pacifique SAS (Geogas of France/Switzerland, an LPG tanker specialist) and operated by subsidiary Oceangas Services Australia of Sydney throughout Australia, NZ, PNG and the South Pacific. It is classed with NKK, insured with Gard and due for its next special survey next month.
