Offshore Vessel to the rescue

Rig tenders tow vessel to safety from Wilsons Prom

By Ken Dietz

On August 8th the on coming crew of "Pacific Conqueror" wer mobilised on short notice to race to a stricken vessel that had engine failure and was dragging it's anchor in treacherous seas and was in danger of going aground on the "Hogan Group", southeast of "Wilsons' Promontory". We arrived at the "Maersk Tacoma" just before sundown and hooked its' anchor with the "J" hook. Myself, Jim Wallis and the Mate were nearly washed overboard while setting up the "J" hook. I was on the port tugger winch when a wave smashed me into the tugger winch and then nearly washed me over the side, but I was unhurt, just bruised. The same wave carried down the deck knocking the mate and Jim Wallis over. It was only sheer luck that they weren't washed overboard also. We towed the fully laden container vessel to safe anchorage in Wilsons Promontory and then Melbourne.

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