The LPG tanker Victoire has broken down in Bass Strait and is drifting north-east but currently not at risk.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority confirmed 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 tanker departed Western Port at 0850 on 3 April, with AIS showing ‘undefined’ destination and later reported ‘not under command’. Pacific Tug’s salvage capable tug Wambiri left Eden at 0640 yesterday [6 April] to assist, and PT’s Flinders Bay, also Eden-based, will also depart to assist, an AMSA spokesman toldDCN.
“Victoire is currently 87 km south-east of Gabo Island and moving in a north-easterly direction. The vessel poses no immediate threat to the coastline with weather conditions improving,” the spokesman said.
“The incident is being managed under commercial arrangement.
“AMSA is aware of the situation and is currently in contact with all parties involved.”
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.
The 3,742 GT Victoire and sister Maea, also under Oceangas management, are 4,000 cu m capacity. Also operated regionally are the 5,000 cu m Epic St Agnes, Gas Ace, Gas Blossom, Arago, Gas Kate, Epic St Vincent and Astrid.
When named Bougainville, Gas Kate infamously lost its propeller in Bass Strait in early February last year as it was preparing to berth at Hastings; it was initially towed to the Cowes anchorage in Western Port, before departing north 29 February under tow of Pacific Tug’s P.T. Fortitude.
The latter handed over to Chinese deepsea tug Ning Hai Tuo 6002 at Bundaberg on 24 March, which took the tanker to Subic Bay (20 April) for repairs. By July it was back loading at Western Pot, under the name Gas Kate.
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