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Pollution Incidents

Pollution Database

Accurate statistical data required for spill response strategic planning provides a valuable resource to assist in responding to an increasing number of enquiries from the media, interest groups and the general public. This data also provides valuable input for risk assessment, government projects (such as the State of the Environment Report) and it is a measure of the effectiveness of the pollution prevention measures being progressively implemented.

AMSA’s maintains a marine pollution database, which currently contains over 7,300 records. AMSA uses the following definitions in maintaining the database:

‘Oil discharges’ refers to any discharges or suspected operational discharges of oil from a vessel or vessels in excess of the permitted discharge rate under MARPOL (generally 15 parts per million oil in water).

‘Oil spills’ refers to accidental spills resulting from incidents such as groundings or collisions as well as spills during bunkering resulting from overflow of tanks, burst hoses, etc.

Information is entered from the following sources:

Oil discharge reports received by AMSA’s, which includes reports from aircraft (Coastwatch, RAAF and civilian) as well as from vessels at sea;
Records of National Plan expenditure in responding to oil spills;
Incident reports submitted by State/NT authorities; and
Reports from other sources (eg Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, industry, the public).

At least 25 per cent of the reports received by AMSA are not entered onto the database. Reasons for not entering a reported pollution sighting include where the sighting is or is strongly suspected to be one of the following:

Land sourced, including tank farms, road tanker accidents, drains or road runoff after heavy rain (unless some response activity is required and/or National Plan response costs are incurred);
Coral spawn or marine algae or similar occurrence, taking into account the location of the report and the time of the year;
Discoloured water with no sheen;
Washings of coal dust from bulk carriers; or
Discharge from a sewage outfall.

The completeness of the information included in this database cannot be guaranteed, as only those incidents reported to AMSA are included. AMSA does, however, make every effort to ensure the data is as comprehensive as possible.

Oil Pollution Statistics for 2005-2006

There were 227 oil discharge sightings and oil spills reported during 2005-2006. Some form of National Plan response was required for 106 of these and range from simply advising relevant stakeholders and seeking further information to full mobilisation of personnel and equipment. Figure 1 shows a break up of sources of reported oil spills during 2005-2006.

Reported Oil Spills during 2005-2006

Figure 1 - Reported Oil Spills during 2005-2006

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Oil Pollution Sources

Figure 2 indicates the types of vessels from which discharges were reported during 2005-2006. The source of 11 sightings during the period was not identified, although the majority are assumed to be ship-sourced.

Dischaarge Sources by Vessel Type

Figure 2 - Discharge Sources by Vessel Type

Chemical Pollution Statistics for 2005-2006

There were two ship-sourced chemical spills reported during 2005-2006.

Incidents in Australian Waters 2005-2006

Global Peace, Gladstone, QLD – 24 January 2006

On 24 January 2006, the tug Tom Tough experienced engine problems and collided against the port side of the Panamanian registered bulk carrier, Global Peace. The incident occurred during a berthing operation at the Clinton Wharf coal terminal in the port of Gladstone.

The impact breached the ship’s hull and ruptured a port side fuel tank. About 25 tonnes of heavy fuel oil was released into Gladstone Harbour.

Over the next six days, personnel and equipment were deployed to undertake shoreline assessment, clean up the spill and respond to oiled wildlife. The on-water recovery operations were completed by 28 January. The shoreline clean up was completed to the standards required by the Queensland Environment Protection Agency by 30 January.

An Incident Analysis Team was established by the National Plan analyse the management of the incident from an oil spill response perspective, assess the adequacy of the response and identify lessons that could be learnt. A copy of the report is available on the AMSA website under the National Plan.

Derelict Vessel, Offshore Weipa, QLD

On 23 March 2006 the Australian Customs Service reported to AMSA that a derelict bunker barge was drifting in the Gulf of Carpentaria. At the time the vessel was located approximately 160kms southwest of Weipa. The vessel’s engines were inoperable and all normal items of ships’ equipment, stores, fuels and papers were absent, suggesting the vessel had been prepared for scrapping.

AMSA appointed United Salvage to tow the vessel to a safe location. The tug Comalco Beagle from Weipa arrived on the morning of 27 March and moved the derelict to anchor off the port of Weipa, where an inspection of the hulk was undertaken to ascertain it condition and whether it posed a threat to the marine environment. The vessel remained offshore while contractual arrangements were made to have the vessel cleaned and prepared for disposal.

AMSA was particularly concerned about the potential for an emergency situation to develop if the weather turned unfavourable, with the vessel posing a threat not only to the environment but also the safety of those attempting to control the vessel and mitigate possible pollution in such a situation.

A permit to dispose of the vessel at sea was granted by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) in early April. Perrott Salvage and Construction were contracted by AMSA to carry out a thorough clean up of the vessel at the Weipa mooring in accordance to DEH Guidelines as required by the sea-dumping permit, then to tow it to an approved location and sink it.

The tow of 370 nautical miles from Weipa to the disposal site took two and a half days. Operations were difficult due to the effects of Cyclone Monica, which was one of the largest cyclones ever to hit the region. An AMSA officer sailed with the Pacific Mariner tug for the complete journey to observe operations, ensure compliance with DEH permit conditions and provide any liaison required with the salvors.

The vessel was scuttled in the Coral Sea offshore in 670 metres of water on 21 April 2006.

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Updated: July 2007