THE powerless LPG tanker VICTOIRE is safely at anchor in Twofold Bay, Eden after almost a week adrift off South East Australia.
The Geogas vessel was towed from a position east-south-east of Gabo Island by Pacifc Tug’s salvage-capable Wambiri after originally suffering main engine failure last Friday [4 April].
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 it was notified that Victoire had lost main engine power due to a mechanical issue, and was then about 45 km south-east of Mallacoota in Victoria.
Wambiri was sent from Eden to assist on Sunday morning but fouled a line from the ship and was taken back to Eden by fleetmate Flinders Bay for removal of the rope. It then returned to Victoire and tug and tow reached Eden at 2145 last night [9 April].
An AMSA spokesperson confirmed the vessel is now anchored in Twofold Bay, where it will be inspected by the authority.
“AMSA takes the safety of vessels and crew very seriously,” the spokesperson said.
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.
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