Trouble-plagued ship Melilla 201 fails in attempt to leave Otago harbour

Korean-flagged Melilla 201 is helped by a pilot vessel and two Port Otago tugs in Otago Harbour near Aramoana last night. Photo / Gregor Richardson.

Trouble has again hit the Melilla 201.

The Korean-flagged ship with a chequered history nearly ran aground in Otago Harbour last night after its engines failed.

A crew of eight and a Port Otago pilot were on board as the ship went to leave the harbour for Southeast Asia to be scrapped.

It had been tied up at the Birch St wharf for nearly two years after being seized by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The ministry has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on berthing costs for the 73m factory stern trawler and to fumigate the vessel after it was found to be infested with rats and lice.

Three of its senior officers were found guilty last year of illegal fish dumping.

Earlier this month, the owner of the company which tendered for the vessel, Dennis Nisbet, said the vessel was ''still in pretty good nick for its age''.

Last night he said due to the quick action of the crew, anchors were deployed before the vessel grounded.

He was on board last night to assess what happened but said it was not a major incident.

Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket said the vessel lost engine power in the cross channel near Deborah Bay and Otakou and then grounded.

''Both tugs were used to refloat the vessel and the main engine was restarted.''

The vessel was then able to travel under its own power back to Beach St wharf.

Mr Plunket said the situation would be reviewed today.

''We need to understand what happened and whether it can safely depart.''

He could not comment further until the review had been completed.

- ODT