INSPECTIONS are underway after the Australian Antarctic Division’s Serco-operated research/icebreaker Nuyina scraped the sea floor near Heard Island during its current 55-day voyage from Hobart.
The incident occurred on Monday [13 October] as the ship was, ironically, conducting seabed survey work off Heard Island, after earlier making a re-supply visit to one if two of Australia’s Antarctic bases, Casey Station.
Media in Tasmania has reported that crew and expeditioners onboard Nuyina felt a small vibration when the hull made contact, but there were no injuries or pollution reported. The ship was moved to deeper water while assessments were made, with crew now inspecting the hull and scientific equipment fitted below the waterline.
Serco said initial checks suggest only surface-level damage to the $528 million vessel. The company stressed the ship didn’t run aground or lose manoeuvrability, Pulse reported.
Nuyina departed Hobart 27 September with 99 expeditioners on board, almost 40 crew, three inflatable boats and two helicopters on what was characterised as the first major AAD campaign to Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) in over 20 years.
Following the Casey call Nuyina was scheduled to spend 10 days in the Heard Island vicinity before moving on to re-supply Davis Station. Heard Island is about 4,100km south-west of Perth.
The AAD said it was working with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as part of the assessment and response.