31/11/11 - Hay Point Expansion brings more vessels to Mackay area

This month has seen us busy with QLD registrations and safety certification for vessels arriving to operate in connection with the Hay Point coal terminal expansion programmed. The vessels have included a number of multicats, small tugs, and dumb barges, many of which we have inspected in Darwin.

30/10/11 - More Gladstone LNG construction vessels

The last few weeks have seen a considerable number of IMCA and on hire inspections for various vessels becoming operational on the 3 Gladstone LNG plant construction sites. We have travelled to every state in Australia more than once inspecting tugs, dumb barges, crane barges, and LCT's for various contractors.

At the end of October MSQ also released an updated version of the Standard for Marine Construction Activities in Gladstone. The latest version is available at http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/~/media/f9b75973-a42d-4041-bff6-10b2f6a97b7b/gladstone_construction_document_oct11.pdf

30/08/11 - 'Whitsunday Magic'

Also on 4 August the three masted schooner "Whitsunday Magic" sank at her berth alongside at Shute Harbour QLD.

30/08/11 - Another busy month

August 2011 has been another busy month with 2 major casualties occurring in the first week.

On 4 August the dumb barge "Essex" sank off Breaksea Spit while under tow from Townsville to Brisbane by the MT "Rodd's Bay".

15/07/11 - 'ADONIS' Redelivered

Salvage operations were completed on 14/07/11 and vessel returned to owners safely afloat in Gladstone Harbour

12/07/11 - MT Adonis - Refloated ready for redelivery

Salvors yesterday completed parbuckling the casualty and successfully refloated her and dewatering has commenced with redelivery expected to occur 13/07/11

05/07/11 - 'Quandamooka' - On Hire Survey completed

On Hire survey of the Ro Ro barge "Quandamooka" completed at Stradbroke Island today

24/06/11 - MT 'Adonis' - Salvage proceeds

Since the "Adonis" capsized and sank on 11/06/11 we have continued to act for insurers. A contract to salvage the vessel has been negotiated and executed with Perrott Salvage of Cairns who are mobilising the barge "Sheerlegs" from Townsville to Gladstone for the operation.

21/06/2011 - Mate's distraction leads to fatal accident - 2010

The following press release issued in the US highlights the dangers of using mobile phones and the importance of an effective SMS.
Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today determined that the mate operating a tugboat near Philadelphia on July 7, 2010, failed to maintain a proper lookout while towing a barge up the Delaware River. The investigation revealed that the mate was inattentive to his duties while navigating the vessel because he was distracted by his repeated use of a cell phone and lap top computer while communicating with his family who were dealing with a family emergency. "This is yet another example of the deadliness of distractions," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman. "Distraction is a safety concern across all modes of transportation. Regardless of the reason, it's not okay to multi-task while operating a vehicle - whether it's calling, texting, or surfing the web." The accident, which occurred at approximately 2:37 pm, involved an empty 250-foot-long sludge barge, The Resource, that was being towed alongside a 78.9-foot long tugboat, the Caribbean Sea. The barge collided with the DUKW 34, an anchored amphibious passenger vehicle, which sank in approximately 55 feet of water. There were 35 passengers and two crew members onboard the DUKW 34 and five crew members onboard the Caribbean Sea. Two DUKW 34 passengers were killed; 26 passengers and one crewmember suffered minor injuries. No one on board the Caribbean Sea was injured. Further, NTSB investigators found that while Ride The Ducks International, LLC, had written procedures for safe operational practices and emergency situations, the master of DUKW 34 did not take all actions appropriate to address the risk of anchoring in an active navigation channel. The NTSB determined these omissions contributed to the accident. The NTSB issued recommendations to both Ride The Ducks International, LLC, and K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P., to review its management program and develop improved means to ensure that the company's safety and emergency procedures are understood and heeded by all employees in safety- critical positions. The NTSB also issued recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard to increase focus on and oversight of inappropriate use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices by on-duty crewmembers in safety-critical positions so that such use does not affect vessel operational safety. A synopsis of the NTSB report, including the probable cause, findings, and safety recommendations, is available at: http://go.usa.gov/WAJ.

12/06/11 - MT 'Adonis' capsizes and sinks - Gladstone

While undertaking trials for water deliveries to Curtis Island in connection with LNG plant construction the MT "Adonis" capsized and sank in the harbour yesterday. One crew member is missing and presumed drowned.
We have received instructions from Hull and P&I insurers and have mobilised to the port today.

01/05/11 - AMC opens Gladstone office

With increasing workloads arising from the Gladstone LNG infrastructure construction we have opened a small office in the port. The location is in the waterfront FODICO building at 213 Alf O'Rourke Drive. All telephone communications will remain via our central 24/7 number of +61 (0) 749 473 350. Emails can be addressed to gladstone@auscon.com.au.

06/02/11 - TC Yasi hits Port Hinchinbrook Marina

On the night of 02/02/11 TC Yasi caused devastation at the Port Hinchinbrook Marina. Under instructions from various underwriters our Cairns based surveyor Paul Dempsey got through to the site the following morning and was relieved by Darren Simmonds on 04/02/11.A salvage vessel and crew arranged by us arrived later that day.At the time of writing (06/02/11) no other insurers representative has arrived and we are liaising with the authorities and proceeding to arrange removal of the vessels we are representing as soon as possible.

17/01/11 - Queensland floods

Widespread flooding in Queensland has led to instructions from a number of marine underwriters for losses in the Bundaberg and Brisbane regions. Although the overall damage is significant the marine losses are not.

22/01/11 - Gladstone LNG projects progressing

We continue to receive new instructions for suitability and On Hire surveys for vessels to be engaged in the Gladstone LNG plant construction projects. The project managers requirements are high and the vessels are good quality tugs and workboats sourced from the Asia/South Paciifc regions. We have recently inspected vessels proposed for Gladstone operations in ports such as Singapore, Auckland, and Port Moresby. New MSQ requirements for vessels engaged in construction activities in Gladstone harbour are significant.

24/01/11 - NSW and TAS operations

New instructions from a number of clients has led to a two week programme of attendances in Hobart, Yamba, Brisbane, Sydney, and Bermagui to be commenced in early February 2011.

16/12/10 Further amendments to requirements for bareboat (Hire and Drive vessels)

November 2010 ~ On 27/10/10 the Australian Transport Council endorsed Part F Section 2 of the NSCV replacing S18 of the USL Code. On 28/09/10 Maritime Safety Queensland also revised their Marine Information Bulletin regarding CE Certification. The requirements set out in these docuements are vitally important to those intending to purchase, import, or operate bareboat charter vessels in QLD.
Links to the documents are as follows:
1. NSCV Part F Section 2
2. MSQ MIB

08/12/10 'Bell Cay' - Grounds on Swains Reef.

The removal of the wreck of the "Bell Cay" from the Swains Reef area was completed with the return of the MV "Salvor" to Shute Harbour on 08/12/10 after 6 weeks at sea.

02/12/10 New vessels for Sunsail Australia.

Registration applications have recently been completed for two new Jeanneau 44i yachts and 'Mary Ann' - the last in batch of 7 sister ships from the R&C yard in China.

01/12/10 New tug for Dalrymple Bay.

We have recently finalised the Queensland registration application for 'Kalarka', a new build tug from the Damen yard in China and a sistership for 'Kolijo' delivered in 2007. The last of the series of three vessels is expected early in 2011.