The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating a serious incident involving the Marshall Island-registered bulker Basic Victory, which lost power while waiting offshore near Newcastle on July 30. The ATSB aims to identify any critical safety issues and will promptly inform the ship’s operators and the port if necessary actions are required.
On the morning of the incident, the Basic Victory, built in the Philippines in 2021, was approximately 20 miles from Newcastle when it reported a main engine failure around 8:00 a.m. The vessel began drifting dangerously close to the coast, coming within three miles of land by late afternoon. The ship’s master alerted the Newcastle vessel traffic service and requested permission to anchor. Fortunately, the crew managed to restart the engine and navigated the ship away from the shoreline.
After successfully berthing in Newcastle on August 7, ATSB investigators boarded the vessel to conduct an inspection, interview the crew, and gather evidence. Following repairs, the Basic Victory departed Australia on August 9, heading towards Japan, where it is expected to arrive next week. Australia is known for its stringent safety regulations and thorough ship inspections, with the Australian Maritime Safety Administration actively enforcing compliance.
