Incident Update - 6 May 2022

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:

• With the preparatory work to lift the York Cove and Campbell Cove tug wrecks from the Mersey River sea floor largely completed on site, the next major project milestone will be the arrival in the state of the barges, the 55-metre-long receiving barge, the Intan, and the 60-metre-long crane barge St Vincent to complete the lift.
• The salvage company, United Salvage, has advised TasPorts that it expects the barges will leave mainland Australia for the trip to Tasmania mid-May.
• The lifting component of the salvage work will commence immediately on their arrival.
• After wet weather and Covid-19 delayed the fabrication works of the cradle that will support the wrecks on the salvage barge, the contractor reports that this work is now well advanced.
• Importantly, before the barges arrive in Devonport, TasPorts will facilitate a visit to the port (West No 5 Berth) of the gas carrier Gaschem Homer today (6 May).
• And on 13 May the Stolt Hagi, a fuel tanker, will visit Devonport to berth at West No 4. Another fuel tanker, the Fairchem Rooibos, has been pencilled in to visit Devonport on 26 May.
• For all enquiries related to this incident, please contact DevonportWest@tasports.com.au