BREAKING: A crew is stranded on a cargo ship off the coast of the Royal National Park in Sydney's south. Wild conditions are creating a very difficult rescue operation for emergency crews. eddy_meyer 9News MORE:
is without power and stranded in heavy seas in waters off the Royal National Park in Sydney's south.
The Portland Bay, which is registered in Hong Kong, left Wollongong this morning but then lost power around 7am. Early fears were that the ship was adrift, but crew onboard have confirmed the ship is now double anchored around 1km off the coast.A tugboat has been sent to help point the bow of the boat out to sea, and another is on the way which will be able to pull it further from the coastline.An initial plan was to have the ship's 21 crew airlifted off, but conditions have rendered that rescue unsafe.
"I have spoken to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority which indicated they believe it is unsafe to do that at this present time and they have delayed that rescue mission."A spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said its helping the NSW Port Authority with the incident. "The 170 m vessel, the Portland Bay, lost main engine power this morning and is drifting off Garie Beach. The ship has dropped anchor and is currently holding position," she said."AMSA has tasked the Essendon Challenger jet to attend the scene which will provide a communication link and location data.NSW Water Police tugs from Port Botany, the Volunteer Marine Rescue service, the Australian Navy and emergency services are also involved.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Residents in parts of Sydney told to evacuate as wild weather continues to batter NSW coastNSW's wild weather shows no sign of letting up, with some Sydney residents urged to evacuate as forecasters warn of strong winds, rough seas and flood risks.
Read more »
NSW floods: Residents told to evacuate as Sydney braces for heavy rainNSW is facing a “life-threatening emergency situation” as an east coast low triggers flash flooding, coastal erosion and strong winds in parts of the state on Sunday, authorities say. Follow our live coverage with MeganGorrey
Read more »
NSW floods: thousands evacuated from rising waters as Sydney braces for more wild weatherEast coast low weakening, but up to 100mm of rain expected to lash Sydney on Monday morning
Read more »
Evacuation warnings issued as south-west Sydney prepares for floodingSouth-west Sydney is being warned to prepare for flooding similar to, or worse than, record floods earlier this year after the region received more than four times its usual July rainfall in a day.
Read more »
Flooding continues in Sydney’s south-west
Read more »