Stricken Norwegian Star Cruise Ship Towed to Melbourne for Repairs
The luxury cruiseliner Norgwegian Star,lost power en route from Australia to New Zealand, has docked back in Melbourne after becoming stranded off the coast for two days, says company sources. Engine problems struck The Norwegian Starr on Friday morning after leaving port and ruining holiday plans for more than 2000 travellers, forcing it to bob without direction 30km off the coast of Melbourne. The ship was slowly towed to Port Philip Bay, Melbourne harbour by tugs on Saturday evening, and moored in the early hours of Sunday morning. A new departure date is expected to be known within the next 24 to 48 hours but passengers were preparing to wait up to five days for the ship to be repaired.
French Bulk Carrier Runs Aground in Australia
A French-registered bulk carrier carrying a load of grain from Geelong to Taiwan ran aground in Melbourne's Port Philip Bay on Thursday night, an Australian maritime authority said on Friday. The fully laden 18,600-ton bulk carrier Mirande ran aground just before 10 p.m. on Thursday after reporting steering problems, said the Marine Board of Victoria. "There is no environmental problem, no damage to the hull, the weather is favorable, the ship is in sheltered waters and is sitting on sand," a Marine Board chief executive said. An unsuccessful attempt to refloat Mirande, which has a crew of 18, was made at high tide on Friday morning and another attempt will be made at the night high tide, which is forecast to be at around 9:00 p.m.
Bulk Carrier Detained In Australia
The French-registered bulk carrier Mirande is expected to remain under detention until Monday as Australian maritime authorities conduct seaworthiness checks on the ship that was refloated on Friday after running aground. "We've had divers inspect the hull, and we have surveyors still on board, but there are still problems with the steering gear and it's still detained," David Gray, spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said. The fully laden 18,600-ton Mirande was carrying grain from Geelong to Taiwan when it went aground on mud in Melbourne's Port Philip Bay on Thursday after reporting steering problems. The vessel with a crew of 18 was refloated late on Friday.
