Storm tore Viking Passama PCTC from Brisbane berth – report

The car carrier Viking Passama drifted more than 100 metres from its berth in the port of Brisbane after hurricane-force winds overwhelmed its mooring lines during a violent storm, according to investigators.

An interim report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reveals how the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) was completing its berthing manoeuvre at Fisherman Islands on November 18 last year when a fast-moving thunderstorm swept across the port.

Anticipating a rapid wind shift, the pilot instructed both attending tugs to push the vessel against the berth, but gusts of over 70 knots (130 km/h) soon forced the ship away from the quay.

‘Extreme tension’

As the vessel surged under the force of the wind, spring lines parted under extreme tension, damaging hydraulic pipework and disabling the aft mooring winches.

Despite both tugs operating at full power, the remaining mooring lines also failed, resulting in the Global Car Carriers-owned Viking Passama drifting around 120 metres into the navigation channel before the winds eased sufficiently for the tugs to regain control and return the vessel safely alongside. One tug remained connected after berthing because of the damaged mooring equipment.

The incident formed part of a wider weather emergency at the port of Brisbane, where four vessels broke free from their moorings during the severe thunderstorm. “This was a severe weather event, resulting in a complex situation involving several ships and harbour vessels,” said Angus Mitchell, chief commissioner at the ATSB.

Emergency assistance

Three container ships parted all mooring lines, with one subsequently grounding, while emergency assistance for some vessels was delayed as pilots and tug crews were unable to reach the port because of road flooding and traffic congestion.

The ATSB’s interim report does not identify the causes of the breakaways but outlines the sequence of events and the escalating weather conditions, with severe thunderstorm warnings issued throughout the afternoon prompting high-windage vessels to deploy additional mooring lines and anchors where possible.