Emergency towage capability

Emergency towage is an important part of our maritime casualty management capabilities. It is part of the initial response to assist a vessel that is incapacitated and in danger of grounding, sinking or causing pollution.

Emergency towage capability is supported by authorities who manage the risks within their respective jurisdictions.

It involves three levels of capability:

• A dedicated emergency towage vessel operating in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait provided by the vessel Coral Knight, based in Cairns.
• Contracted port towage around the other major Australian ports capable of undertaking open water towage operations.
• Vessels of opportunity that can be directed or contracted to assist, when required.

Marine Notice 4/2016 [1] reminds owners, masters and agents of ships of their responsibilities to report and resolve maritime incidents, and that costs that we incur during a maritime incident may be recovered from the vessel’s owners.

Related content

• National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies [3]
• Maritime casualty management and emergency towage capability (PDF 740.23 KB) [4]
• Emergency towage vessel Coral Knight [5]