Cargo vessel refloated – Lord Howe Island
by Neil Patchett on 24 Oct 2011
SW
The vessel MV Island Trader which grounded on the Monday 17 October in the lagoon at Lord Howe Island was refloated on the high tide this evening (Monday 24 October 2011).
The cargo vessel is now safe and secure alongside the island’s wharf, with an anti-pollution boom around it as a precaution.
NSW Maritime will now await the results of a Classification Society surveyor from American Bureau of Shipping who is scheduled to survey the hull tomorrow (Tuesday). NSW Maritime will consider the results of that survey prior to any decision about allowing the vessel to resume operations.
A NSW Maritime Marine Investigator arrived on the island on Wednesday. The Harbour Master from Yamba, who is also the Harbour Master for the Island and a Master Mariner, arrived on Thursday morning to provide expert advice. The investigator is looking into how and why the vessel grounded and will consider recommendations if needed.
The MV Island Trader carries cargo from Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island. It is a 37m, 485 tonne commercial trading vessel designed and built to operate in shallow waters.
No oil was spilt during the grounding event.
Maritime NSW website
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