The MV Shiling cargo vessel anchored in Tasman Bay. Photo / Skandio Emerald
The MV Shiling cargo vessel anchored in Tasman Bay. Photo / Skandio Emerald
The MV Shiling cargo ship was only temporarily repaired when it was allowed to set sail from Wellington, then lost power 22 nautical miles from Farewell Spit, and issued a mayday call.
An ocean-going tug from Port Taranaki, Skandi Emerald, was dispatched and safely secured the troubled vessel on Friday.
It’s the fourth incident involving the ship that New Zealand authorities have dealt with in the past year.
Shiling lost power in April when it was leaving Wellington Harbour.
Repairs were required to the ship’s generators and main engine; however, permanent repairs could not be done in New Zealand.
Temporary repairs were completed to a standard thought to give Shiling sufficient engine power to sail to Singapore for a permanent solution, Maritime New Zealand has revealed.
Instead Shiling again lost power, this time in open water, and is now anchored at Tasman Bay under the eye of Skandi Emerald.
Multiple helicopters and a Defence Force Hercules were sent to Shiling’s mayday call where the 294m vessel was drifting in rolling seas.
Its 24 crew members had earlier been preparing to abandon ship as it began listing but have since been reported as unharmed and aboard the vessel.
Shiling is now anchored at Tasman Bay under the eye of Skandi Emerald. Photo / MarineTraffic.com
A Maritime New Zealand spokesperson told the HeraldShilling was inspected after it was towed into port last month.
Conditions were imposed on Shilling and Maritime New Zealand detained her in Wellington. The vessel’s flag state, Singapore, also issued a detention order.
One condition was that Shiling’s classification society, Lloyd’s Register, must confirm to Maritime New Zealand it was satisfied with repairs to the ship’s generators and main engine.
Classification societies develop technical standards for the design and construction of ships according to international standards and regulations, the Maritime New Zealand spokesperson said.
They undertake surveys of ships “in class” with them, to ensure they meet those standards
Responsibility for the management of Shiling’s safety system lay with its operator, Singapore-based Asian-Alliance Ship Management, the spokesperson said.
“Lloyd’s Register confirmed to Maritime NZ and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore that the repairs completed in New Zealand gave Shiling sufficient engine power to sail to Singapore for permanent repairs,” the spokesperson said.
“Those permanent repairs could not be done in New Zealand. After receiving confirmation from Lloyd’s Register, Maritime NZ released Shiling from detention.”
MV Shiling docked in Wellington for temporary repairs last month. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Wellington’s regional harbourmaster also required sea trials before the ship was allowed to continue on its way.
Maritime New Zealand has an open investigation into the incident.
The regulator understands an agreement has been made for Shiling to be towed to Wellington.
CentrePort chief executive Anthony Delaney confirmed the port company was planning for the potential return of Shiling to Wellington.
CentrePort was gathering further information from her owners and their representatives as well as the tug operator supporting Shiling, he said.
The harbourmaster, Maritime New Zealand and CentrePort would undertake a joint risk assessment which will consider the weather and other conditions, Delaney said.
“This is the kind of work that our teams have planned and undertaken before, including the handling and berthage of dead ships [ships without power].
“In the event that the Shiling does return to CentrePort, we’ll need to manage potential disruption to our other shipping on Aotea Quay and move the Shiling around our berths as required, to accommodate other vessels.”
Delaney said CentrePort would focus on minimising any impact Shiling might have on regular shipping.
CentrePort’s harbour tugs were more than capable of facilitating Shiling’s return to Wellington as they had done so before when the vessel lost power over Falcon Shoals in mid-April, he said.
As of yesterday, a formal decision had not yet been made on when the ship will leave Tasman Bay or when it is likely to arrive in Wellington.
Maritime NZ said payment for the tow was being managed by Shiling’s owners and their insurers.
