Devonport Tug salvage continues as authorities reveal amount of pollutants
TasPorts has detailed the mammoth clean-up after two tugs sunk when a cement carrier Goliath smashed into the western wharf at the Port of Devonport several weeks ago. THE FIGURES >>
North West Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TasPorts says more than 18,000 litres of hydrocarbons from submerged tugs Campbell Cove and York Cove in Devonport’s Mersey River.
The two tugs were sunk when cement carrier Goliath smashed into the western wharf at the Port of Devonport several weeks ago.
Another 10,000 litres remain on board one of the tugs.
TasPorts Chief Operating Officer Stephen Casey said the recovery of pollution was a significant milestone.
“However, TasPorts is continuing to actively manage the ongoing risk of marine pollution,” Mr Casey said.
“To date, the salvage teams have recovered more than 18,000 litres of hydrocarbons from the two submerged tugs. This includes more than 17,000 litres of diesel fuel oil, 480 litres of lubricating and 1350 litres of hydraulic oil.
“This has been an incredibly complex operation led by a team of highly skilled divers operating in very low visibility, navigating through the access doors and stairways of the submerged and significantly damaged vessels.
“Following the identification of reservoirs, tanks and voids holding hydrocarbons, the dive team has then had to construct safe and effective methods to pump contaminants to the wharf deck for collection in intermediate bulk containers.”
The dive team was given advice by tug engineers through CCTV.
Mr Casey said there was still about 10,000 litres of hydrocarbons on-board the Campbell Cove.
“As a result, the incident site at Berth 3 West at the Port of Devonport remains under active TasPorts control,” he said.
“Whilst the remaining fuel is contained, there is still a high risk of leaking if the structural integrity of the tugs changes, such as a shift in positioning.”
Tenders for the removal of the wrecks have closed.
“A salvage plan and methodology will be agreed, with a final salvor anticipated to be appointed over the coming weeks,” Mr Casey said.
‘Appalling’: Excess booze lands multiple islanders in court
A crayfisherman and a gardener were among a handful of King Island residents who faced a magistrate over drunken behaviour, with a magistrate blasting them for their antics.
Truckie who hit, killed pedestrian found guilty
A truckie who struck and killed a pedestrian as she crossed at the lights in Burnie’s CBD in 2021 has been found guilty of causing her death. WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT >>