Cargo vessel MV Island Trader can resume operations
by Neil Patchett on 25 Oct 2011
SW
MV Island Trader has been declared seaworthy. NSW Maritime today gave the owners permission to return their vessel to service.
The 485 tonne MV Island Trader can now resume operations which involves carrying cargo and essential supplies from Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island.
NSW Maritime’s approval follows advice from the marine survey classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping, that the vessel today passed a hull survey following its grounding last week.
The vessel, which had just unloaded its cargo, grounded on Monday 17 October in the lagoon at Lord Howe Island and was refloated on the evening high tide on Monday 24 October 2011.
No oil was spilt during the grounding event, no one was injured and the vessel remained structurally sound.
The MV Island Trader is designed and built to operate in shallow water and to rest on the seabed if needed.
A NSW Maritime Marine Investigator arrived on the island on Wednesday 12 October. The Harbour Master from Yamba, who is also the Harbour Master for the Island and a Master Mariner, arrived on Thursday 13 October to provide expert advice. The investigator is looking into how and why the vessel grounded and will consider recommendations if
Maritime NSW website
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