A bulk carrier vessel loaded with logs from Papua New Guinea has been grounded in the China Strait passage of Milne Bay, according to the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA).
The authority, in a statement, said it had inspected the vessel MV Microstep in accordance with port state control procedure where no detainable deficiencies were identified.
The ship, however, was detained for grounding, leading to damage to coral reef and not reporting the incident to the NMSA. To refloat the ship, the owner Feng Sea Shipping engaged the tug with barge from the log pond to offload the logs from the deck using the ship’s cranes.
NMSA chief executive officer Paul Unas said appropriate actions would be taken after NMSA investigated the incident.
He said the authority would consider the implementation of the compulsory pilotage in China Strait passage as this was not the first time for such incidents.
An assessment of damage to the coral is taking place, along with the Conservation & Environment Protection Agency.
