An Odfjell chemical tanker has run aground on a sandbar in Port Phillip Bay, off Rosebud in Australia.
Bow Singapore was inbound into Geelong port in bad weather conditions at the time of the incident, which occurred sometime around 18:00hrs (local time) on Friday, according to local reports.
was inbound into Geelong port in bad weather conditions at the time of the incident, which occurred sometime around 18:00hrs (local time) on Friday, according to local reports.A spokesperson for Odfjell told Splash that a broken valve caused the tanker to lose maneuverability, but the issue has since been fixed.
A pilot is currently onboard and the vessel is awaiting high tide at around 03:30hrs on Saturday so tugs can free it from the mud, the spokesperson continued.
The harbourmaster has informed Odfjell the tanker’s hull has not been breached, the company told Splash.
Latest AIS data from the vessel suggests the tanker is fully laden and was en route from Port Risdon, Australia.
Members of the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad and Victoria Police have reportedly been to visit the ship. No product or fuel has leaked from the tanker, a spokesperson for the rescue squad told local paper The Age.
The tide was already halfway out at the time of the incident, with low tide reportedly expected at about 22:30hrs.
