Australian Antarctic Division
Preparations are being made to send a support vessel to the Southern Ocean to accompany Australia’s chartered Antarctic resupply vessel MPV Everest back to Fremantle.
Photo: Wayde Maurer
MPV Everest experienced a fire in its port engine room on Monday, and the ship has continued travelling north using its starboard engine room.
The vessel is now 1200 nautical miles south of Fremantle, travelling at about 10 knots.
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) General Manager of Operations, Charlton Clark, said the vessel is not in distress and is making way under its own power.
“As a precautionary measure the AAD and the ship’s owner, Maritime Construction Services (MCS), have identified two potential support vessels to meet MPV Everest,” Mr Clark said.