SeaLink Northern Territory: Tiwi Island ferry catches fire with 184 people on board

A ferry carrying more than 180 people to the Tiwi Islands has caught fire prompting an emergency evacuation on the Timor Sea. An investigation has been launched. SEE THE PICTURES.

Sea Darwin, Sea Tiwi was part of the response after a ferry travelling between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands caught fire with 184 people on board, on Friday August 16.

An investigation has been launched after a ferry carrying more than 180 people to the Tiwi Islands caught fire, leading to an emergency evacuation on the Timor Sea.

NT Police confirmed reports of a fire on the ferry carrying passengers from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands around 4.20pm, Friday.

“The fire was extinguished and there have been no reports of injuries at this stage,” a spokesman said.

It is understood the fire started in the engine room due to a mechanical issue on the Tiwi Mantawi vessel.

NT Police said the ferry is believed to have had 180 passengers and four crew on board, with additional vessels sent to the site of the ferry to assist in the retrieval of passengers and crew.

“Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but are not believed to be suspicious at this stage.”

SeaLink Northern Territory confirmed its service encountered an unexpected mechanical issue on the Tiwi Mantawi vessel shortly after departure from the Tiwi Islands on Friday afternoon.

NT Police were part of the response after a ferry travelling between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands caught fire with 184 people on board, on Friday August 16.

By Saturday morning the service confirmed all passengers on the Tiwi Ferry Service safely returned to Darwin.

In response to the incident the ferry company shut down its Mandorah services, deploying that vessel to the evacuation mission.

“We have needed to dispatch the Mandorah ferry to safely transfer these passengers to Darwin,” it posted to Facebook.

On Saturday morning it confirmed the Mandorah Ferry Service had now returned back to the normal operating schedule and said “a full investigation is underway”.

SeaLink Northern Territory vessel, the Tiwi Mantawi, docked at the Frances Bay Mooring, commonly called the Duck Pond, following a mechanical issue blaze on Friday August 16.

The Sea Darwin, Sea Tiwi said their boats were deployed for the rescue effort and were “equipped to handle unexpected situations”.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by yesterday’s ferry incident near the Tiwi Islands. It was a privilege to be able to assist passengers in returning safely to Darwin,” a Facebook post said.

SeaLink Northern Territory vessel, the Tiwi Mantawi, docked at the Frances Bay Mooring, commonly called the Duck Pond, following a mechanical issue blaze on Friday August 16.

“We understand the shock and distress caused by such an event.”

The damaged Tiwi Mantawi was towed to the Frances Bay Mooring on Saturday morning.

According to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority the Tiwi Mantawi is about 12 years old.

The SeaLink website states the larger passenger ferry makes the two and a half hour, 177km trip between Darwin and Tiwi six times a week – covering a total of 1026km per week.