Barge in danger of sinking off Bundaberg
Maritime Safety Queensland and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are closely monitoring a 55-metre steel-hulled barge reported to be in danger of sinking about 45 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg.
The master of tug Rodds Bay reported late yesterday that the barge Essex, which it was towing, may have struck an object and was taking water.
This morning the tug’s master advised he was towing the barge north east towards deeper water in case the barge sank.
Like most barges, the vessel is essentially a ‘floating platform’. It does not have an engine and isn’t carrying fuel that may represent a pollution risk.
Maritime Safety Queensland is maintaining close communications with the tug which is in Commonwealth waters, relaying information to other agencies including AMSA, the Department of Environment and Resource Management and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Maritime Safety Queensland has ensured the tug crew removed all potential pollutants from the barge.
About 40 litres of diesel and hydraulic fluid used to power a small generator on the barge had been removed.
The crew is safe and the tug towing the barge is not damaged.
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