Incident Summary:
On Friday 28 January 2022, cement carrier Goliath collided with two berthed TasPorts’ tugs at the Port of Devonport (York Cove and Campbell Cove). The impact of the collision caused significant damage to the tugs, ultimately causing both to sink.
TasPorts quickly deployed oil spill response equipment and activated its crisis response teams. TasPorts has actively monitored the incident site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since the collision, with a focus on ensuring the integrity of the oil spill containment area and the salvage of hydrocarbons from the wrecks. These activities continue to be supported by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
TasPorts is continuing to assess the status of the incident site, to determine any changes to restrictions as early as practicable.
Updates:
- The salvage company, United Salvage, has advised TasPorts that it expects the receiving barge, the Intan, will leave Newcastle in New South Wales to make the voyage to Tasmania within the next 24 hours.
- The barge will be followed down Australia’s east coast by the crane barge, the 60-metre-long St Vincent, which is leaving from Brisbane on Monday (23 May). The departure of the barge out of Brisbane was delayed by winds of between 20 to 25 km/h.
- The Intan is expected to arrive in Devonport at the end of next week while the St Vincent’s voyage from Brisbane is expected to take seven days (subject to favourable weather conditions).
- Work to lift the two tugs will commence as soon as possible after their arrival.
- Salvors from United Salvage returned to Devonport earlier this week to finalise preparatory works for the lift.
- Meanwhile, TasPorts has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against CSL Australia Pty Ltd (CSL), the owners of the cement carrier Goliath.
- Proceedings were commenced at this early stage to guard against the possibility of proceedings being commenced in a less suitable jurisdiction.
- TasPorts will attempt to reach an acceptable settlement with CSL in the short to medium-term.
- It is not TasPorts’ intention to progress the proceedings unless and until it becomes necessary to do so, but believe that the commencement of proceedings is a prudent step to take to protect its rights.
- For all enquiries related to this incident, please contact DevonportWest@tasports.com.au