Queen-Land

The “Ocean Emperor” was drifting towards the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns with a cargo of of coal underway from the Hay Point terminal near Mackay to Japan. It broke down about 60 nautical miles off Cairns. After the crew could not get the main engine working again, engineers were flown in from the company. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority slapped an intervention order on the ship on July 24, 2010, which required the Greek ship’s owner to initiate the services of a tug to prevent it drifting on to the Reef. Four tug boats were placed on standby to assist if the vessel continued drifting. After the engines were re-started, a tug from Cairns escorted the ship until it left the economic zone.