The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is continuing to coordinate the response to a disabled general cargo ship which spent about 24 hours adrift near the Great Barrier Reef.

Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV Thor Commander reported on Sunday night that it had damaged its main engine, leaving the vessel drifting approximately 235 miles north-east of Gladstone in an area north-east of Perkins Reef and north of Elusive Reef in the protected Swains Reefs group.

On Tuesday morning, the AMSA reported that the tug Smit Leopard was able to establish a towline to the vessel. The update said that the Thor Commander is now being towed to Gladstone and are expected to arrive in port later this week

On Monday night, a Chinese-flagged ship had established and maintained a towline with the Thor Commander to stop the vessel from drifting as they awaited the arrival of the Smit Leopard from Gladstone, according to AMSA. Also responding to the incident was the Queensland Police vessel Lyle M Hoey.