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 vessels to sink.
TasPorts responded quickly, deploying oil spill response equipment, and activating its crisis response teams. TasPorts has continued to actively monitor 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.
Key Updates:
- Highly experienced Australian-based salvage company United Salvage has commenced mobilisation of plant and equipment to undertake the work to remove the York Cove and Campbell Cove wrecks from the Mersey River.
- As noted last week, following the John Duigan’s successful trial voyage into 5 West, TasPorts is considering movement requests for vessels of a similar nature into this berth (Length overall up to 100m). Risk assessment work has been completed for the first of these visits - a small gas tanker, Gaschem Homer, proposed for the end of next week with tug support provided by the newly-arrived and highly capable Svitzer Bondi.
- At the same time the TasPorts team is undertaking risk assessment work for a visit to nearby berth 4 for the delivery of other commodities. The outcome of the proposed movement of the Gaschem Homer will play a key part in verifying the risks of having larger vessels pass the wreck site.
- Also as noted last week, while the wreck incident site is stable, there is an ongoing risk of a significant environmental incident, with approximately 10,000 litres of inaccessible diesel and oil remaining in the tug wrecks sitting on the river floor. The continual release of oil pollution from within the wrecks is being managed with ongoing daily skimming operations and contained within an oil spill containment boom.
- For all enquiries related to this incident, please contact DevonportWest@tasports.com.au