Rescue underway for large cargo ship drifting off Australian coast

Major rescue mission underway for large cargo ship drifting without power off the Australian coast carrying 10,000 containers

  • Ships deployed to rescue a cargo ship drifting of the NSW coast near Narooma
  • The 286-metre Rio Madeira lost power on Friday night around 80km off the coast
  • Australian Maritime Safety Authority rescue boats have been deployed

A rescue mission is underway to save a cargo ship drifting out to sea with around 10,000 containers on board.

The carrier lost power on Thursday night around 80km off the coast of Narooma, NSW.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) rescue boats from Newcastle and Sydney have been deployed to rescue the 286-metre-long Rio Madeira.

A rescue mission is underway to save the Rio Madeira, a cargo ship drifting out to sea with 10,000 containers on board

It is understood the carrier lost power on Thursday night around 80km off the coast of Narooma, NSW

An AMSA spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the Singaporean container is not in any ‘immediate danger’ of hitting the coast.

‘AMSA has tasked a specialised emergency towing vessel, ETV Svitzer Glenrock, from Newcastle to assist with providing towing assistance to MV Rio Madeira,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Emergency generator power is available on board and crew are working to resolve the main power issue. 

‘The ship and the crew are not in immediate danger of impacting the coast.

‘AMSA is closely monitoring the ship and receiving regular reports from the ship’s company.’

The emergency vessel from Newcastle will arrive at the Rio Madeira on Saturday afternoon and will help tow the ship.

The Rio Madeira is larger than the Portland Bay carrier which drifted away from Port Botany earlier this year.

Craig Gibson, who was one of the three on board during the July rescue of the Portland Bay carrier, tweeted his support for the latest rescue mission, posting ‘Go and save another one team!!’ 

There is believed to be 27 crew on board the ship. 

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