The Ym-Efficiency: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is actively seeking reimbursement of AUD$17 million (approximately US$11 million) from the owner of the 'YM Efficiency' for cleanup costs incurred after a significant container spill during June 2018. The incident, which occurred approximately 20 miles off the coast, resulted in over 80 containers being lost into the Tasman Sea. To date, 63 of these containers have been successfully retrieved. After the Taiwanese shipowner, Yang Ming, and its insurer, Britannia P&I, declined to take responsibility for the debris, AMSA stepped in to oversee the salvage operations. In late 2019, AMSA enlisted the services of Ardent Oceania to conduct recovery efforts, which began on April 3 and concluded on May 8, 2020. Utilizing the 130-meter offshore supply vessel 'Pride', outfitted with advanced subsea cranes, Ardent was able to methodically recover the lost cargo. The recovery was facilitated through the deployment of custom-built equipment and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) to locate, transfer, and transport the containers back to shore. Despite the successful salvage, which took 35 days, including weather-related delays, AMSA's attempts to engage Yang Ming regarding their obligation to manage the recovery of the remaining debris have not yielded results so far. Presently, they are gearing up to pursue legal action in Federal Court to secure the compensation. There’s an indication that additional costs of around AUD$5 million (US$3.2 million) may arise should efforts to locate the last remaining containers prove necessary. Remarkably, Yang Ming’s 'YM Eternity' was detained at Port Botany earlier this year due to the same issues related to cargo management that had previously resulted in the 'YM Efficiency' incident. AMSA's commitment to recoup these costs will be facilitated through levies collected from the shipping industry, should Yang Ming continue to refuse accountability for the cleanup efforts.

In a significant maritime recovery operation, authorities have successfully retrieved 63 shipping containers that were lost from the cargo vessel 'YM Efficiency' in June 2018 during turbulent seas near Newcastle, New South Wales. The vessel, traveling from Taiwan to Sydney, encountered extreme weather conditions off Port Stephens, leading to the loss of 81 containers overboard and another 62 sustaining damage. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has spearheaded the extensive recovery efforts since the incident. These efforts culminated on May 8, when the recovery operation was wrapped up, successfully removing not only the containers but also tons of associated debris from the ocean floor. A crucial component of this mission involved the use of a custom-designed steel basket, which was deployed to the seabed. In collaboration with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), the team was able to efficiently transfer the containers and marine debris into the basket for retrieval. Initially, the team projected that they would recover around 60 containers; however, they exceeded expectations by recovering three additional containers. The total expenditure for this extensive recovery operation is estimated at approximately $17 million, with funding provided by AMSA so far. As part of the recovery process, the AMSA has initiated legal action in the Federal Court, aiming to recover the full costs associated with the operation from the Taiwanese shipping company Yang Ming and its insurance providers. Following the incident, a significant amount of debris washed up along the New South Wales coast, affecting local fisheries and posing hazards, as fishing trawlers reported entanglement with the lost containers. A recent report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau indicated that the mishap was exacerbated by improper stowing practices of the shipping containers aboard the 'YM Efficiency'. The successful conclusion of this recovery mission not only highlights the challenges faced by maritime operations but also underscores the importance of adherence to safety protocols in the shipping industry.

In a significant development during the ongoing salvage operations for the YM Efficiency, underwater surveys conducted on April 8, 2020, revealed two additional containers once thought to be lost. Initially, the site was suspected to house two containers fused together; however, advanced robotic cameras on board the recovery vessel, Pride, uncovered a total of four containers present at the location. As a result, the total number of recovered shipping containers in Operation Recovery – YM Efficiency has now reached 62, leaving just 14 containers still unaccounted for. Recently, two more containers recovered from the depths were securely placed on the deck of the Pride. It is believed that these containers include tyres and various paper products. Although the operation faced some delays due to vessel movements, improvements in handling procedures are being implemented to enhance the efficiency and safety of recovering the cargo. Since April 6, three containers have been retrieved, bringing the total number of containers yet to be recovered down to 59. To view related updates and images, you can visit the reports at [TN](https://tn.com.ar/autos/lo-ultimo/reflotan-un-contenedor-el-fondo-del-mar-y-descubren-dos-chevrlet-silverado-0-km_1063385) and [La Tercera](https://www.latercera.com/mtonline/noticia/sirven-o-no-rescatan-dos-silverado-heavy-duty-caidas-al-mar-en-un-container-hace-22-meses/FHKHC6AKXRBLLABQ6CA2QVRDOI/).