Timber adrift south of Yamba after Cargo ship loses 600 packs

by Penny Robins on 9 Oct 2010 A cargo vessel registered in Panama, Mimasaka, has weighed anchor and resumed its course to Singapore after an unscheduled emergency stop off the coast of Yamba.

NSW Maritime Manager Regional Ports and Shipping Safety David Hunter said the 128m ship lost an estimated 600 packs of timber cargo on Monday when it encountered bad weather 43 nautical miles north-east of Coffs Harbour.

'The vessel had been en route from Burnie in Tasmania to Singapore,' he said.

'NSW Maritime’s harbour master for the Port of Yamba provided assistance to the Mimasaka which anchored 2.2 nautical miles off Yamba to secure its remaining cargo. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was also providing timely shipping and safety advice.'

The AMSA Australian Rescue Coordination Centre has been liaising directly with the master and agent for the vessel, which has been anchored off Yamba in 30 metres of water since Monday.

'Divers and welders from the Yamba region have been working on the vessel to re-secure the remaining cargo, while the master and shipping operators have been completing necessary documentation for the unscheduled stop over,' Mr Hunter said.

'NSW Maritime’s tug Francis Freeburn provided transport between the vessel and the shore in this effort.

'The Mimasaka rode securely at its anchor off Yamba allowing the crew to safely prepare the vessel to resume its voyage late yesterday.

'Further unfavourable weather during the week slowed down the effort to get the Mimasaka back at sea, but it is now on its way to Singapore, via Brisbane.'

Surveillance of the area off Coffs Harbour has revealed no sign of the missing timber. AMSA has issued a warning to mariners regarding the lost cargo.

www.nsw.gov.au