Antigua and Barbuda flagged general cargo vessel, Thor Commander, reported on Sunday night it had damaged its main engine. The vessel was drifting north-east of Perkins Reef and north of Elusive Reef in the Swains Reefs group, about 379km north-east of Gladstone when it was disabled.
This morning, a towline was established between the disabled vessel and the tug Smit Leopard from Gladstone. Thor Commander is currently located about 375km north east of Gladstone.
Thor Commander is now being towed to Gladstone by the tug and will arrive in port later this week.
Last night, a towline was maintained between the disabled vessel and an assisting Chinese flagged merchant vessel, Xinfa Hai to stop Thor Commander from drifting.
The towlines were established with the assistance of Queensland Police vessel Lyle M Hoey.
Xinfa Hai towed the vessel slowly in a north-easterly direction last night ahead of the tug’s arrival in the area.
AMSA would like to thank the captain and crew of all the vessels who assisted in the response