Fuel Spill Leads to Yet Another Call for Native Crews in Australian Territorial Waters
Union Concerns That Cost Cutting Is Leading to Additional Threats
AUSTRALIA – A spillage during a refuelling operation in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, has led to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) once again calling for vessels operating in Australian waters to have experienced local crew on hand to handle such procedures.
On Wednesday the
MMA Coral, an offshore supply ship operated by MMA Offshore, suffered an incident whilst refuelling with diesel. The MUA states that the event appears to have been caused by the use of inexperienced foreign seafarers who had been flown into Australia to replace the vessel’s local crew. Australian authorities are investigating.
Maritime Union of Australia
A maritime pollution incident in Port Phillip Bay this week, involving diesel spilling overboard during refuelling operations, appears to have been caused by the use of inexperienced foreign seafarers who had been flown into Australia to replace the vessel’s local crew.
The incident occurred when the new crew were attempting to refuel the MMA Coral, an offshore supply ship operated by MMA Offshore, for the first time after replacing the Australian crew last week.
Authorities, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Environment Protection Authority, and Port of Melbourne, are investigating the spill, which occurred shortly after 11am on Wednesday.