Seiner Apollo Sunk In Minutes After Hit From Grain Shipff
12 October 2010
Australia Source:Port Lincoln Times
An investigation will determine whether human error or mechanical failure led to the crash that sank the tuna purse seiner Apollo S at the Port Lincoln wharf on Friday afternoon.
The 225-meter grain ship Grand Rodosi T-boned the tuna boat at about 5 knots, crushing its port side and almost sheering off its wheelhouse.
The Australian Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure transport safety regulation director Brian Hemming said something seemed to have happened in the wheelhouse as the vessel was berthing and there would be an investigation to find out what caused the crash and if anyone would be prosecuted.
“It’s a pretty serious speed for a collision,†Mr. Hemming said.
“This type of collision would have resulted in at least serious injury if not a lot worse if anyone had been on board (the Apollo).â€
The 47-metre Apollo went down in less than half an hour after it was hit just before 3pm.
The Grand Rodosi was due to leave Port Lincoln this Friday but it has been detained by the Australian Marine Safety Authority until a meter-long tear in its hull is repaired and while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigates.
The Apollo, the largest vessel in Port Lincoln’s fishing fleet, was believed to be worth about $20 million and had just come off the slip after a refurbishment ready for the 2010/11 fishing season.
Owner Australian Fishing Enterprises did not want to comment on the impact the incident would have on its fishing operations but according to its website the Apollo is one of two vessels, along with the Maria Luisa, responsible for catching all of the company’s Southern bluefin tuna quota.
AFE also uses these vessels to catch tuna for other operators on a contract basis and to catch its pilchard quota.
It will be a major operation to salvage the 700-tonne vessel taking several days if not weeks.
Flinders Ports is also assessing damage to the wharf including six large fenders, which were destroyed.
