Qld: Lumpy seas prevent coal carrier docking

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2010
Qld: Lumpy seas prevent coal carrier docking

The coal carrier which ran aground in the Great Barrier Reef on Easter is now NOT expected
to be towed to the central Queensland port of Gladstone for a week and a half.

Attempts to pull the Shen Neng 1 with a flotilla of tugs have failed and Maritime Safety
Queensland says it won't try today .. due to forecasts of poor weather and lumpy seas.

MSQ general manager PATRICK QUIRK says more trials are needed to assess the ship's
manoeuvrability before moving the carrier into the Port of Gladstone.

And .. he says this is now unlikely to happen before May 3.

The Shen Neng 1 hit the Douglas Shoal on Easter Saturday .. spilling up to four tonnes
of heavy fuel oil from its ruptured fuel tank and causing extensive damage to the reef.

AAP RTV stg/pjo/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: CARRIER (BRISBANE)

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