Government orders probe into oil and chemical tanker close calls
A near-miss involving an oil and chemical tanker in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River this month is now under investigation by the state government. Experts say it came close to being an economic and environmental disaster.
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A disaster in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River was narrowly averted last month when a chemical tanker almost hit the bottom and only just cleared a concrete mooring.
The near-grounding on February 15 of the Panama-registered tanker Golden Chie was followed three days later by an incident in Port Phillip Bay when an oil tanker came dangerously close to shore.
Maritime Safety Victoria is investigating both cases, which come amid a shake-up of the Victorian sea pilot industry.
Both vessels were under the direction of Australian Pilotage Group sea pilots at the time of the incidents.
Sea pilots are locals who help navigate ships from offshore until they are moored in our ports.
Industry sources said economic and environmental disasters had been narrowly avoided in both cases.
In the Point Lonsdale incident, the Cayman Isands-registered Stolt Tsubaki — weighing 7242 tons — found itself in shallow water off the Bellarine Peninsula and came within 750m of hitting the bottom in high winds and rough seas on February 18, marine traffic footage reveals.
Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville, the Member for Bellarine, said she had raised the Point Lonsdale case with Ports Minister Melissa Horne.
“MSV has confirmed they’ve launched a preliminary investigation and I await the outcome,” she said.
MSV acting director Martin Jaggs said the authority audited sea pilot service providers, reviewed reportable incidents including near misses “and investigates when warranted”.
“MSV has investigated eight reportable incidents in Victorian pilotage-required waters in the past two years,” he said.
A government spokesman said pilot safety rules had been tightened last year, including mandating zero blood alcohol levels and improved incident reporting.
“All marine pilots are required to undergo thorough training to ensure the safe passage of ships entering the Port of Melbourne and the Port of Geelong,” he said.
A Department of Transport investigation into the licensing of marine pilots has just been completed and is due for government consideration, the Sunday Herald Sun has been told. The report was commissioned after the entry of new pilot service APG to the shipping sector in 2018.
APG recently set up in competition to Port Phillip Sea Pilots, which has been operating for more than 180 years.
Sources say the newcomer, which did not respond to a request for comment, is offering cheaper rates.
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