The master of a ship has been convicted after failing to report without delay a main engine breakdown off Queensland, Australia that affected the safety, operation and seaworthiness of his ship. The incident took place in January 2019 when the tanker Asphalt Spirit was travelling from Korea to Australia carrying 14,000 tonnes of asphalt. After the engine breakdown, the ship began drifting 30km northeast of Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. The ship’s master reported the incident six hours after the initial breakdown. On Monday, 9 December 2019 the master pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to one count of failing to report a marine incident to authorities without delay, as required by section 11(1) of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983. He was fined $3000 and a conviction was recorded.
