The troubled container vessel Shilling was successfully towed to safety by the ocean-going tug Skandi Emerald from Tasman Bay to Wellington, according to Maritime New Zealand.
The container ship Shilling had broken down in New Zealand’s capital main shipping channel in April, which was the third of such event in less than a year. As a result, the vessel was detained. A couple weeks days ago, the Shilling put out a request for assistance after it lost power and steering.
From the time the vessel lost power on May 12 until it arrived in Wellington, it has been a complex operation involving a large number of people and organizations from all around the world, according to David Billington, Incident Controller, Maritime NZ .
Response agencies, the owners of the Skandi Emerald, international insurers, owners and harbourmasters worked relentlessly to help two the vessel after its call for assistance.
When dealing with a 300 meter vessel and there are a lot of variables to manage when planning its movements, including weather, other vessels and berthing availabilities, Maritime NZ highlighted in a statement.
We saw on the weekend there were rough conditions forecast at its anchorage at Tasman Bay, and Nelson Harbourmaster supported this operation by allowing the Shiling to be towed to a point of shelter
… said David Billington
Maritime NZ also checked in on the crew of 24 during the period the vessel was without power. The vessel is now berthed and will be repaired.
