Aal-Dampier

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has confirmed the successful prosecution of the master of the 'AAL Dampier' and the AAL Dampier Navigation in Western Australia’s Perth Magistrates Court in a case involving marine pilot safety. A pilot fell approximately seven meters deep onto the deck of the pilot vessel and was injured when the pilot ladder ropes parted while disembarking the 'AAL Dampier' in the Port of Fremantle in August 2022. The pilot vessel urgently transported the pilot to the hospital for treatment for serious injuries. An investigation into the ladder ropes found them to be seriously defective and in a poor state, likely due to inappropriate storage and ineffective inspection maintenance procedures. The AAL Dampier Navigation pleaded guilty to failing to ensure pilot transfer arrangements in place were in accordance with the relevant regulations and was fined $30,500. The master of the vessel pled guilty to failing to ensure the disembarkation of the pilot was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations and for taking an unseaworthy vessel to sea and was fined a total of $5,500.

On August 9, the AAL Dampier, a general cargo ship owned and operated by Singapore-based breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift carrier AAL, delivered a giant Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) module to Port Pirie’s smelting facility in Southern Australia. Operated by Nyrstar, an integrated mining and metals processing business, the smelting facility is said to be one of the world’s largest. The 41-meter long and 21-meter high module weighed 530mt and is the largest component to be shipped for Pirie’s ongoing Redevelopment Project. The project will convert the aged smelter into a modern multi-metals processing and recovery facility. Report and Gallery on http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/201895/gallery-aal-delivers-giant-esp-module-to-port-pirie/