The ship is now double anchored around 1km off the coast, with heavy seas making for a dangerous rescue mission. 9News
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.
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