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2020 monthly domestic commercial vessel incident reports

The information you provide in your incident report plays an important part in guiding the way we improve maritime safety for everybody on the water. By reporting marine incidents to us, you are also meeting your reporting obligations under Australian laws.

December 2020

There were 88 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in December 2020. Of these, 26 were serious and 1 very serious.

State Vessel type Incident
QLD Class 4 – Hire ‘N’ Drive Very Serious – Vessel sunk during severe storm. Six occupants onboard were rescued by a neighbouring boat before Volunteer Marine Rescue assisted. No injuries reported.
WA Class 1 – Passenger Vessel made contact with seabed causing damage to propeller. No injuries or pollution reported.
WA Class 3 – Fishing Vessel lost control while berthing and collided with another vessel. Damage reported. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 2 – Non -Passenger Vessel collided with disabled yacht during rescue operation. Vessel hull breached, causing significant damage. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 2 – Non-Passenger Tug suffered an engine failure and collided with ship bow flare during towing. Minor damage reported to both vessels. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 2 – Non-Passenger Vessel sunk while being towed during rescue operation. Five of the passengers were transferred safely onto the rescue vessel and were assessed by an ambulance on arrival to shore. Vessel since recovered from water with minor damage.
QLD Class 4 – Hire ‘N’ Drive Vessel made contact with the seabed numerous times after anchor was dragged during severe weather. Extent of damage to vessel unknown. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 2 – Non-Passenger A fire started on vessel following fuel leak from engine damage. The fire was quickly extinguished and the vessel was removed from the water for repairs. Minor damage to port side motor. No injuries reported.
NT Class 1 – Passenger An intoxicated passenger fell overboard. Vessel retrieved passenger who had swallowed some water. Passenger refused medical assistance.
NSW Class 1 – Passenger Vessel collided with recreational vessel. The two occupants on the recreational vessel jumped overboard. Both rescued by passenger vessel with no injuries reported.
QLD Class 1 – Passenger Ferry lost control and grounded during strong wind. After 2 hours the tide turned and ferry was able to re-float and secure to berth. All vehicles and passengers were safely disembarked. No damage or injuries reported.
WA Class 3 – Fishing Crew member suffered fractured wrist after his arm hit vessel’s stern while trying to attach a securing rope to retrieve the anchor.
TAS Class 3 - Fishing Bow mooring line of vessel failed causing it to repeatedly swing and collide with another vessel. Damage to hull caused flooding and the vessel partially sank. Minimal environmental impact and no injuries reported.
NSW Class 2 – Non-Passenger During dive operations to retrieve sunken structure, the crew moved to the main work barge when the structure floated to the surface clipping the dive boat causing it to capsize. No injuries reported.
NSW Class 4 – Hire ‘N’ Drive Gas bottle ignited during safety briefing causing fire. Passengers evacuated and fire was put out. No damage or injuries reported.
WA Class 1 – Passenger Vessel’s steering failed resulting in no forward controls causing it to collide with another vessel. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 4 – Hire ‘N’ Drive Passenger fell off Jetski resulting in serious injuries. Medevac required. Cause of fall unknown.
NT Class 2 – Non-Passenger Vessel collided with a moored barge while entering the harbour. Damage sustained to bow anchor and nose of vessel. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 4 – Hire ‘N’ Drive Vessel moved on incorrect side of reef protection marker resulting in grounding flat on the reef. Remained there for 5 hours until higher tide. No injuries or pollution reported.
WA Class 2 – Non - Passenger Diesel leak from vessel resulting in marine pollution. Vessel removed from water for assessment. No damage reported, cause of leak unknown.
QLD Class 2 – Non - Passenger Vessel grounding on reef. Extent of damage not reported. No injuries reported.
NSW Class 1 – Passenger Diesel fuel contamination in coolant overflow causing smoke and minor water pollution. Vessel removed from service for inspection.
QLD Class 1 – Passenger Vessel made contact with coral reef resulting in damage to guard rail. No environmental damage reported.
QLD Class 2 – Non - Passenger Vessel turned onto sandbank and became grounded. No damage or injuries reported.
NSW Class 1 – Passenger Vessel made hard contact with wharf due to wash of ferry. Damage sustained to starboard side of vessel. No injuries reported.
QLD Class 4 – Hire ‘N’ Drive Hire boat flooded and capsized. Three persons onboard rescued from water. Vessel was righted and towed to shore. Cause unknown. No injuries reported.

Last updated: 

Monday 9 May 2022