Crews prevent South Coast fuel spill as fishing boat breaks apart
NSW Maritime removed 9000 litres of diesel from a 22-metre fishing boat that ran aground and broke apart off Bawley Point.
A 22-metre fishing boat ran aground at Bawley Point on Tuesday, then broke in half the next day in rough seas. NSW Maritime worked through Thursday to pump out all 9000 litres of diesel fuel and about 50 litres of hydraulic fluid using small electric pumps, a slow process that took about an hour per 100 litres.
The crew had to time their work around low tide at this rocky, exposed location. The cleanup of fibreglass, foam and debris will take months, with divers needed to retrieve items that sank.
The boat is beyond repair and will be recycled. A multiagency investigation will examine how it ran aground.
- 9,000 litres of diesel
- Fuel removed
- About 50 litres
- Hydraulic fluid removed
- 22 metres
- Boat length
- About 100 litres per hour
- Pump rate
Why it mattersA potentially catastrophic fuel spill into coastal waters was prevented, but the extended cleanup means ongoing environmental risk at the site.
AustraliaThe incident affects South Coast NSW residents and marine life, with restricted beach and boating access during months of salvage operations.
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