Stricken Ocean Emperor sparks Reef alert

John Flynn
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Cairns Post
ENGINEERS have successfully re-started a stricken bulk carrier that was drifting towards the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns.
The 225m Liberian-registered Ocean Emperor was transporting a load of coal from the Hay Point terminal near Mackay to Japan when it broke down about 60 nautical miles off Cairns.
"They couldn’t get the main engine working and they’ve flown in engineers from the company," Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Tracey Jiggins said.
On Saturday, AMSA slapped an intervention order on the Greek-owned ship, after it experienced a series of breakdowns in Australian waters.
The order required the ship’s owner to initiate the services of a tug-boat to prevent it drifting on to the Reef.
"She’s now on her way out of Australian waters," Ms Jiggins said.
"We have a tug from Cairns travelling with her until she’s out of our economic zones."
Four tug boats were previously placed on standby to assist if the boat continued drifting on to the World Heritage-listed Reef.
The break-down follows recent incidents when Chinese cargo ship Zhong Xing struck a reef in the Torres Strait in May and the Chinese-registered Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef over Easter, off Gladstone.
Cairns and Far North Queensland Environment Centre co-ordinator Steve Ryan called for more resources to prevent future incidents occurring.
"Surely some funds can be found to make sure ships are piloted, monitored and watched as they make their way through this area,’’ he said. "And to make sure the safest, and not the shortest route is taken.’’
Two of Queensland’s coal ports, Hay Point off Mackay and Abbot Point off Bowen, are in the middle of expansion programs.
Mr Ryan said the issue of coal carriers causing damage to the Reef needed to be addressed before the increased shipping traffic began in Queensland.
"It’s an issue that’s not going to be going away and the port facilities around Gladstone and the Townsville region are going to continue it,’’ he said. "It’s going to be a problem that’s only going to get worse.’’
Ocean Emperor - IMO 9153795, dwt 74002, flag Liberia, built 1998, manager  Oceanfleet Shipping Ltd Athens.