Bulk carrier refloated off Gladstone and detained for assessment

Photo: Maritime Safety Queensland

The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Cape Falcon has been refloated off Gladstone, Queensland, six days after grounding near the port, with the vessel now detained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) pending further safety and structural assessments.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) confirmed that the 182,066-dwt Capesize was refloated on the morning high tide on Thursday, September 24. Following the operation, the vessel was moved under the direction of the Regional Harbour Master to the N11 anchorage, where further investigations into its condition will be conducted. 

The Cape Falcon grounded at about 15:10–15:42 local time on September 18 while approaching the designated bunkering anchorage, approximately six nautical miles east of the Port of Gladstone. The fully laden vessel had departed Hay Point Terminal the previous day. Initial attempts to refloat the ship using harbour tugs and a pilot were unsuccessful. 

A subsequent recovery operation involved multiple harbour tugs, while a salvage plan was also developed after the earlier attempts failed. The vessel was ultimately freed during the morning high tide on September 24, earlier than a further refloating attempt that had been planned for later that day.

Investigations continue
AMSA has detained Cape Falcon under the Navigation Act while its seaworthiness is assessed. The authority said it will ensure the vessel meets applicable safety and regulatory requirements before it is permitted to resume operations.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is also investigating the grounding as a serious marine incident. According to the ATSB, there have been no reported injuries, hull breaches or pollution.

Investigators are collecting evidence including voyage data recorder information, vessel tracking data, weather information and crew, operator and maintenance records. 

The ATSB investigation remains in the evidence-gathering phase, with a preliminary report expected in about two months and a final report to follow at the conclusion of the investigation. 

MSQ said the vessel’s structural integrity will be further investigated following the refloating operation. This assessment is particularly important given that the vessel had been firmly grounded on the seabed and remained in position despite earlier refloating attempts.

Meanwhile, MSQ said port operations and vessel movements are returning to normal. A one-nautical-mile exclusion zone around Cape Falcon has been established, with mariners instructed to remain clear of operational areas associated with the vessel and comply with directions from the Regional Harbour Master.

Source: safety4sea.com