AMSA Update: 28 May APL Containers Lost

APL England Detained as Australia Finds Equipment Problems

Inspections of the ship has found inadequate lashing arrangements for cargo and heavily corroded securing points for containers on the deck.

"These findings constitute a clear breach of a requirement under SOLAS to ensure that a ship and its equipment are maintained so as not to present a risk to the safety of the ship itself or anyone on board the ship,” said AMSA General Manager of Operations Allan Schwartz. “The detention will not be lifted until these serious deficiencies are rectified."

The APL England is currently being detained in the Port of Brisbane and the detention will not be lifted until these serious deficiencies are fixed. This is a now matter for the ship’s owner, American President Lines (APL), and the operator to rectify.

Investigations

All findings will form part of AMSA’s ongoing investigation and, while not to pre-empt the outcomes of the investigation, it is clear that the risk of container loss could have been reduced.

Actions

AMSA expects the ship owner and its insurer to take full responsibility for addressing any impacts of this incident.

We have heard today the insurer is already engaging contractors to retrieve some of the floating containers.

AMSA’s Challenger jet continued its search last night with an aerial survey of the New South Wales coastline to assist in locating and identifying semi-submerged containers in the water. The search identified two targets which we now know are five containers, including one set of four containers locked together.

Photo South Coast NSW Floating debris spotted by AMSA's aircraft - courtesy of AMSA

Floating Containers on the South Coast

The container vessel APL England – that is the large container ship that was on passage FROM China TO Melbourne which lost power (yes their engines stopped) close to the NSW South Coast and dumped containers into the sea.

It was heading south on Sunday when there were very heavy seas built up because of the East Coast Low with high winds and wave/swell of more than 7 meters. The vessel engines stopped and the ship drifted out of control to lie abeam on (sideways) to the wind, swell and the southern flowing current. At this point the vessel with minimum draft, high windage and very heavy load above the waterline started to roll back and forth. Some mariners call this a death roll.

At this point the structure of the container support were put under stress and it was found that (still to be confirmed) the supports were rusted and gave way. The securing structure of locking units and bracing wires are also suspect.

It is still unclear how many containers fell overboard but it is estimated at least 40.

The public has seen household appliances, building material and medical supplies (Chinese made face masks) being washed up on beaches just south of Sydney. Some of the refrigerated container are insulated with foam so these tend to float on the surface and wash ashore or more dangerously float with the current along the South Coast into the Southern Ocean.

This is a major danger to shipping and to fishing trawlers and recreational vessels. So if possible keep a good look out when traversing the coast as soon as the lock-down is eased.

The two questions AMSA is investigating: Does this foreign flagged vessel comply with Australian and international safety standards and did it breach any Australian environmental protection regulations.

However a more important question is why did the engines stop and what actions did the Master take to mitigate the pending disaster (ship wreck) AND when did the local authorities know and what did they do?

When will the boating public and boating Association be given the drift modelling to warn the boating communities of this pending danger on the surface or just below.

If you see any debris or a floating container call NSW Maritime 13 12 36 or report it to incident@transport.nsw.gov.au

Recreational Boating Permited COVID

 All recreational boating is permitted

• If those onboard are members of the same household, there does not need to be four square metres of space for each person.
• If those onboard are not members of the same household, they should maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from others, as is reasonably practicable.

People should continue to boat locally and not inter-state.

Maritime web site states the following:

When onshore, do not gather as more than 10 people. This applies in any public place, such as a wharf or boat-ramps. Skippers must also remember their other safety responsibilities regarding safety equipment, alcohol consumption, keeping a proper lookout and proceeding at a safe speed.

From Friday 15 May, the following has been allowed:

• public gatherings of up to 10 people
• food and drink premises can open, but only to seat a maximum of 10 customers at any one time – this includes cafes and restaurants, a restaurant within a registered club or pub, or a cellar door that serves food
• up to 5 visitors may visit another household at any one time
• outdoor playground and exercise equipment can be used with caution, if they are opened in your area – not in Eurobodalla
• outdoor pools can open with restrictions.

From Monday 1 June 2020 NSW residents will be able to take a holiday anywhere in NSW with travel restrictions in our state to be lifted. So you can tow your vessel to the coast and go sailing or fishing. Expect further restriction being removed before that date.

Unfortunately cruising north to Queensland is still banned under all circumstances.

Clyde Street west boat ramp temporary closures for 90 minutes at a time.

Transport for NSW consulted with the Boaters Association regarding the closure of the Clyde Street Boat Ramp from May 25 to August.

We understand the need for this closure BUT warn boaters not to be caught out on the water when the bridge sections are on the boat ramp or in the air.

So either leave before the closure and return before or better still return after they move the big barge OR preferably use Hanging Rock Boat Ramp.

The Open waters limit has been moved and is now an "imaginary line extending from the eastern limit of the Clyde River Training Wall (end) in a north-easterly direction to the land-based location of the Square Head Sector Light"

Therefore you do not need safety equipment for open water if you launch at Hanging Rock and intend to travel upstream on the Clyde River.

This is a significant change and one the Association has been advocating for years. This is when it counts when our Clyde Street boat ramp is closed. Good seamanship and caution should be practices when leaving Hanging Rock and proceeding westward as the sea can jump up at you at any time.

Transport states the boatramp will be closed on 12 occasions for periods of up to 90 minutes. Signage two days prior will be located at the boatramp. Dont count on the 90 minute duration because on the first lift things did not go quite to plan but they assure us they are getting better!

Read the full notice here on their web site.

Boating Rules updated by NSW Matime

All recreational boating is permitted, however, the skipper must still ensure there is four square metres of space for each person on board. That may include the fore-deck of a vessel but do not sit there if you are underway and it is not authorised.

People should still only boat locally and always remember to practice good safe seamanship. So no towing your vessel to the South Coast to chase the fish – stay local.

When onshore, do not gather with more than 10 people unless with members of the same household – they cant be overnight guests. This applies in any public place, such as a wharf or launching ramp.

In the Eurobodalla you may only flush your engine but not wash your vessel down until you get home and do so between 4:00 pm to 10:00 am (over night!) on a grass area using buckets and a final rinse with a trigger-nozzle hose.

If you are in the Bega and Bermagui area you have always been allowed to wash you vessel down on the local grass area.

Council actually managed the boat ramps for Crown Lands except the Hanging Rock ramp water area that falls into the Batemans Bay Marina lease area. So check these sources if you have a concern.

NSW Maritime calls for people to dob in any boater that is doing the wrong thing. The Association does not support this call to action and will not be advertising the phone line.

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/covid-19-update.html