The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has successfully concluded a 24-day operation to assist the Liberian-flagged vessel Swift Hangzhou, which faced engine failure in the Coral Sea, Queensland. This initiative was vital in safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding marine environment.
AMSA initiated its response on February 1 after receiving distress reports about the vessel. Given the incident’s complexity, AMSA coordinated a multi-faceted response, deploying several tugs to prevent the vessel from drifting into sensitive areas of the reef. A Maritime Casualty Officer was also sent aboard to assess the situation and provide expert guidance to the captain.
Throughout the operation, AMSA maintained constant monitoring of the vessel’s position and weather conditions, working closely with Queensland authorities, including Maritime Safety Queensland and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park agencies. Crew welfare was a priority, with daily checks to ensure adequate provisions and support.
As of February 24, the Swift Hangzhou is safely anchored in Gladstone, Queensland, where AMSA has detained the vessel for seaworthiness assessments.
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