The Shiling, a Singaporean flagged vessel that was detained in New Zealand in April, put out a request for assistance after it lost power and steering.
According to Maritime New Zealand, at 11 am local time the vessel put out a mayday call, due to heavy seas, stating the 24 crew onboard were preparing to abandon the vessel. It was slowly drifting North-East but there was no risk of it grounding.
We also have a NZDF’s P-8A Poseidon in the air above the ship to coordinate assistance, and other response assets are available should they be required. This still has the potential to become a rescue situation, so we remain poised to respond.
… said Mike Clulow, Operations Manager
Luckily, an ocean going tug, the Skandi Emerald, reached the Shiling and connected to the ship. The vessel was situated about 22 nautical miles North North-West of Farewell Spit. The mayday call has been lifted and rescue response assets are being released. The Skandi Emerald will tow the Shiling to a safe location, where it can anchor and be assessed for repair.
A Maritime New Zealand Incident Response Team which was stood up to manage the incident will continue to monitor the situation. An investigation is underway.
To remind, the container ship was detained after it broke down in New Zealand’s capital main shipping channel, the third such event in less than a year.
