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:
- TasPorts and salvage company United Salvage have agreed to a timeline to remove the York Cove and Campbell Cove wrecks from the Mersey River in Devonport.
- Specialist salvage divers will be mobilised to Devonport from interstate by the middle of next week, while the salvage barges are expected to arrive in Devonport from Brisbane and Newcastle respectively to commence the salvage operation in mid-April.
- It is expected that the salvage works will be completed and the wrecks transferred to Bell Bay by the 5 May deadline, subject to weather and the complexity of the salvage operation once it gets underway.
- The York Cove will be lifted first, followed by the Campbell Cove.
- Following the very successful visit to Devonport by the Gaschem Homer on 23 March, TasPorts has met with customers Ixom and Quantem regarding the delivery of caustic soda and grain into Devonport.
- Risk assessment work involving the Harbour Master, TasPorts’ pilots and shore side crews will be undertaken in preparation for a planned visit to the port by appropriately-sized vessels before the mobilisation of the specialist salvage barges in mid-April (as noted above).
- TasPorts will welcome the 121-metre-long fuel tanker Stolt Sakura – the first since the cement carrier Goliath collided with two berthed TasPorts tugs at the end of January – into Devonport during the first week of April.
- The visit is the result of significant work TasPorts has completed in close consultation with customer VIVA Energy.
- While there is significant landside work for TasPorts to complete before the visit, it is an investment the company is prepared to make for the benefit of its customer and the greater northern Tasmanian community.
- For all enquiries related to this incident, please contact DevonportWest@tasports.com.au