DISQUS

Pasha Bulker Postscript
ABC Local Radio 1233 reported this morning that repairs to the Pasha Bulker have been completed in Vietnam and the ship's name changed to the Drake.
Newcastle Ports Corporation are seeking reimbursement of A$2 million outlaid during the ship's grounding and re floating in June 07.
Conjoint Professor of Law at Newcastle University, John Levingston discussed the possibility that NC Ports will organize to arrest the ship to recover the debt in accordance with Maritime Law practices dating back to 3500BC. He stated that prompt response by the ship's owners and lodgment of appropriate security would see the ship released in 7 days. Failure to clear the debt would lead to the ship's sale. The old saying comes to mind - "You can run but you cannot hide".

Should have mentioned - full report available at:
http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/

Pasha Bulker Inquiry Outcome

Quoting directly from local radio 1233ABC:
A report (by the NSW Maritime Authority) into the grounding of the Pasha Bulker bulk carrier in Newcastle in June has found it was caused by a combination of horrendous weather conditions and poor seamanship by the ship's master.

Storms that weekend took nine lives and caused more than $1 billion in damage.

The report says the master failed to see the potential impact of the weather forecast and made the wrong decision to ride out the gale at anchor.

But New South Wales Ports Ministers Joe Tripodi has told Parliament there is not enough evidence to prosecute.

"While the report also finds that the standard of seamanship displayed by the master was poor, the investigators have also concluded it would be difficult to prove negligence beyond reasonable doubt, as required to achieve a conviction for the offence of negligent navigation," he said.

"For this reason, the authority has decided not to prosecute the master of the Pasha Bulker."

Thanks John - appreciate your continuing "tutorials". Meanwhile NSW Ports Minister Tripodi was quoted on local radio this morning stating that the State sponsored inquiry will report very soon. The other report is now not due until early next year. Some observers very frustrated due to ongoing delays and the potential for similar incidents until all related procedures are thoroughly reviewed and suitable changes adopted.

Pasha Bulker Postscript Two
PB left our shores several weeks ago under tow to an Asian shipyard. She was minus her rudder that apparently came off during re-floating attempts. It has been retrieved and presently sits in a local scrap yard. Given the surge in tourism generated by the grounding there has been considerable debate about erecting a permanent memorial to the events. The present difficulty is one of cultural difference with the Japanese owners wishing the embarrassing reminder of the grounding into the melting pot just as locals see the rudder as a very appropriate reminder of their affection for the Pasha Bulker. Negotiations are continuing!
Meanwhile, a report has surfaced suggesting that the Pasha Bulker was one of 50 ships advised two weeks before the grounding that they would no longer be able to use port facilities because of the time it was taking for them to de-ballast. Hence another airing of the allegation that ships were de-ballasting prior to entering port and the possibility of subsequent handling difficulties. Still no sighting of conclusions from several inquiries that have taken place. Meanwhile at any given time there will be up to 80 carriers waiting off-shore from Newcastle and that will certainly not be the last that we will see of similar weather that nearly brought us an ecological catastrophe.

Pasha Bulker Postscript
It's reported this morning that the Pasha Bulker will be towed out tomorrow to be hooked up to the powerful Kyo Maru (spelling?) for towing to Asia for repairs. During the past three weeks temporary repairs have been made to the rudder and propeller along with splinting to both sides of the hull. Rumours suggest that she is headed for either Japan or Vietnam. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the NSW Maritime Board inquiries continue with possible conclusion in August.

Local radio reports that the Pasha Bulker has been successfully refloated and is moving out to sea. Pasha Bulker no longer visible on the WebCam thus story appears to be true!

Ports Minister Mr Joe Tripodi stated today that the rudder had been damaged in last night's refloating attempt. He also advised that the oil spill identified during the maneuvers has been identified as prop shaft lubricant. The Pasha Bulker is said to be about 50m from deeper water and refloating efforts are planned to continue tonight.

WebCam shows and local radio reports that Pasha Bulker has been repositioned towards sea, "a few degrees away from required angle". Deballisting of tanks towards the stern being undertaken at present. Downside is that more oil has been detected on both sides of ship. Response team presently accessing.

Many thanks John for your comprehensive answers to difficult questions.

"The graving dock at Garden island - Sydney
is 1,140 ft (345 m) by 147 ft (45 m)."

Thanks Bob, as you may have heard, it has been reported that the vessel is "booked into" and will be towed to the Dry Dock facility in Brisbane if successfully refloated. Another attempt due tonight around the 1.85m tide at 2013hrs.

0734hrs local time. A lot of movement of Pasha Bulker's bow evident this morning. Second of attached cables broke this morning.
Good WebCam pictures at:
http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/NobbysBeach.htm

The first of what is expected to be several attempts to free the vessel was made tonight. Commentators reported that the salvage crew is pleased with progress; that the vessel floated on this evening's high tide and that they have managed to swing the bow about 7 degrees seaward as planned. They have said on a number of occasions that the salvage would probably take several tides to complete. Their particular challenge would appear to be that the stern is on reef and no doubt they will be aiming to contain any further damage. If successful and the Pasha comes off suitably seaworthy, it is suggested that she will be towed to Brisbane for initial drydocking. If the weather stays favourable, it appears further attempts will be made over the next four to five days.

Pasha Bulker salvage team advise they are not ready for Wed 27. Refloat attempt postponed until Thur 28, weather permitting.

Minister for Ports Mr Joe Tripodi has advised that weather permitting, the first attempt to refloat the Pasha Bulker will take place Wednesday 26 around predicted high tide of 1.62m at 1729hrs. Very little detail of process available beyond expected use of three tugs and cabling from sea anchors to ship's winches. Questions have been raised re salvage team's decision to reposition fuels and oils to higher tanks rather than removal. Team has claimed that removal would have presented greater risks and that they are happy with ship's structural soundness.
Video and/or audio coverage may be available through following sites:
www.abc.net.au/streaming/
www.nbntv.com.au
www.primetv.com.au/i-cms.isp

Preparations continue for the attempt to refloat the Pasha Bulker, with three large anchors positioned seaward over recent days. It is suggested that it may involve several attempts and weather permitting, they will coincide with predicted spring tides ranging from 1.85m Saturday 30 June, to 1.88m Monday thence tapering from 1.86m Tuesday.
Local radio this morning, interviewed 'one of Australia's leading salvage experts', Brett Divine who believes that the vessel has sustained serious damage below water and may not hold up to the stresses involved in hauling her off. It appears that his company is one of several already discussing plans to dismantle the vessel should the refloating effort fail.

How did the Pasha Bulker end up on our beach?
The inquiries have begun with investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau interviewing captains to try and sort out the "messy tangle of liability, ownership and insurance".
Today's Newcastle Herald has an article headed, "Ban on Slow Boats - Port Moves on Ballast Inefficiences". It raises the question as to Pasha Bulker's management of ballasting prior to the grounding.
And I quote - "Pasha Bulker is one of about 50 ships that coal loader operator Port Waratah Coal Services no longer wanted to service because they took too long to pump out ballast water....Port regulations which are consistent with international practice, say that coal ships should not discharge ballast water until they are safely tied up at the wharf. The public nature of the Pasha Bulker's beaching on Friday left many experienced waterfront figures commenting on how high she was sitting and how often her propellor was out of the water. (She) had not been scheduled to (berth) until Tuesday, four days after the beaching.....Anecdotal evidence (suggests) some coal ships have been discharging at least some of their ballast water early, trying to make up time after a three week wait to load. An empty Panamax class ship such as the Pasha Bulker could sit 15 metres higher than a laden one" 60 carriers sitting off ourcoast at present.
My knowledge/experience of big shipping is limited to some yachting and time crewing a 30m motor yacht in the Med some years ago. Never-the-less like so many situations, I'll be surprised if the outcome is limited to a single cause even though the ballasting appears to be an important factor.
Readers may be interested to check out our local news media: www.theherald.com.au/

Pasha Bulker Salvage
Salvage Team spokesman advises that they are still searching for a suitable large anchor handling vessel that will be used with three tugs to undertake the operation. Exact extent of underwater damage remains unknown until they refloat the ship. Salvage now proposed for end of the month during spring tides, but described as "difficult and dangerous with no guarantee of success". More severe weather on the way with predicted gale force winds to 90KPH and heavy surf conditions today. Local WebCam was turned on ship for several days but presently showing adjacent beach at:
www.coastalwatch.com/templates/default.aspx

Latest comment from Minister for NSW Ports Joe Tripoldi. Two salvage tugs have arrived. One proposal being considered involves sourcing a large anchor handling vessel to position anchors out to sea to enable Pasha Bulker to use their own winches to escape the beach.
The Minister states that required equipment including pumps, pollution control barriers etc has been gathered from around the country. Also mentioned that there is some mixing of oil and seawater aboard but that it is still proving difficult to assertain extent of hull damage. Fortunately, it appears that there is still no pollution evident in the vicinity. Hull was reballasted yesterday to assist holding in present position and oil is to be moved to higher tanks.
It appears likely that recovery attempts will be commenced Mon 18 due to predicted king tides that day.
Minister claimed salvage team is "best in the world"; that they have developed "best contingency plans for oil containment" and that there is a high level of information exchange in both directions with experts from other countries. John would be pleased to hear that they are using some current technology including E-mail "conferencing"!
One would certainly wish them every success. Carving up the ship and carting it away doesn't bear thinking about.

Pasha Bulker Salvage Update
Salvage specialists saying very little except that they are still in "assessment/planning" stage. They confirm that there is a damage to outer hull on starboard side and some seepage of seawater. They also advise that there is a metre gap between outer and inner hull structures and that fuel and lubricants tanks are not in the same area. A specialised salvage tug has arrived from Sydney and another is due in port from Melbourne on Wednesday. It is surmised that fuel etc will be removed prior to any attempt to drag the ship off. It is interesting that the Pasha Bulker is lying roughly parallel to the causeway that connects to Nobbies head and the resulting beach formed against the causeway. The ship is said to "flat bottomed" and firmly lodged on sand rather than adjacent reef, sand that no doubt complicates possible salvage depending on wind and sea over the next few days.

Very interesting to consider some more of the technical aspects of the grounding and implications. grandmarnier - media yesterday did report that the ship had reduced ballast - may have been in preparation for entering harbour, not sure. Appears to be "wait on to wait on" situation with reports of further salvage assessment taking place and possibility of some decisions by midday local time. Clear fine day 35 kms north but local rivers rising to serious flooding. 288mm local rainfall during past 72hrs adding to heavy runoff from Hunter Valley streams and rivers.