Rio Madeira, a Singaporean container ship, is stranded about 70km off the NSW coast and is drifting south along the coast, after its power failed on Thursday night. The ship was en route to Sydney when the power outage occurred, leaving it drifting in the open ocean.
The 27 crew members on board are safe and well, and are currently working to restart the ship’s engines. However, bad weather is hampering their efforts and it is not yet clear when the Rio Madeira will be able to resume its journey.
“There was no immediate danger of the ship hitting the coast,” said the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
“We are closely monitoring the ship and receiving regular reports from the ship’s company.”
More than 3000 containers are on board the ship, 126 of which are considered “dangerous goods”, according to a spokesperson.
The ship is also transporting 3,075 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 236 tonnes of diesel oil.
