Bulk Carrier MV ID Integrity “Not Under Command” Offshore Great Barrier Reef [UPDATE]

**UPDATE**

From the Australian Marine Safety Authority:

One of the commercial tugs, PT Kotor, rendezvoused with the ID Integrity at approximately 10:30am AEST today.

At 11:30am AMSA was advised that the tug had connected a towline to the ID Integrity and they are now travelling at slow speed in a south-easterly direction (i.e. way from the Outer Reef) awaiting the arrival of the larger tugs.

AMSA’s Emergency Towage Vessel (ETV) Pacific Responder is now scheduled to be on scene around 3:00pm. Once on scene it will provide assistance as required and remain on station until the third tug, the PB Leichhardt, arrives and has connected a tow line.

MV ID Integrity, a Handymax tanker managed by ID Wallem Shipmanagement was enroute to Townsville, Australia from Shanghai on Friday when it suffered an engine breakdown approximately 175 nautical miles northeast of Cairns.  According to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the breakdown occured at approximately 6PM Australian Eastern Time on 18 May.

While ID Integrity’s crew continues to repair the engine, two tugs have been dispatched to the scene and the AMSA has also tasked the Emergency Towage Vessel (ETV) Pacific Responder. The first tug is due on scene on Sunday morning (20 May).

ID Wallem noted this evening that their ship, while is drifting westwards north-west of Cairns, has passed safely over Shark Reef.  The unladen vessel is now expected to continue to drift safely in open water until the first tug arrives on scene at 9am EST on Sunday morning.

The AMSA notes that RCC Australia is also communicating with other vessels in the area which may be able to provide assistance.

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