KOURIS RUNS AGROUND
Thousands of sightseers gathered and there were traffic jams for up to three kilometres when the liquefied gas carrier Kouris ran aground at Wanda in 1989.
A tug, which tried to free the stricken tanker, also became stuck during the three-day ordeal.
Efforts to refloat the Kouris were hampered by a big ocean swell and winds gusting to 100km/h.
In one of many dramatic images captured by Fairfax Media photographers, Cronulla lifesaver Mark Dewhurst paddles out on a surfboard to try and connect a tow line between tugs.
Leader reporter Graham Davis wrote how a “rubber ducky” flipped over trying to perform the same task and fears a fire could break out because, although the fuel tanks were empty, a residue of gas remained.
Sutherland Shire president Michael Tynan was among the first on the scene.
”I got a call at 5.45, saying, ‘Mike, there’s a boat on your beach’ ”, he said.
“I didn’t believe the caller at first”.
An inquiry by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the Cypriot flag bulk carrier anchored in Bate Bay on the morning of July 24 after discharging a cargo of propane at the Bulk Liquid Berth at Port Botany.
The ship was due to return to the port in following days to load a cargo of ethelyne for export, but nature intervened.
At about 11.30pm on July 24, the wind began to freshen and swing from the west to a little east of south.
At about 3.15am on July 25, the officer of the watch reported to the master, Captain Schluchter, the ship was drifting.
Initial attempts to start the engines failed and the second anchor was dropped.
At about 3.35am, the ship grounded in shoal water near Merries Reef.
Driven by the wind and sea, the Kouris was blown clear of the shoal water but, although the engines were working by that time, the rudder failed to operate.
At about 4.18am, the ship grounded on the beach at Wanda and could not be freed by use of its engines.
The ship eventually refloated at 3.15am on July 27 and was towed to Sydney Harbour for repairs.
The inquiry found mechanical and human errors contributed to the mishap.
Human failings included Captain Schluchter and his senior officers not obtaining weather forecasts and strong wind and gale warnings.
Captain Schluchter had also failed to appreciate the significance of the wind shift and that the ship was anchored to a lee shore.
There had also been “a general lack of communication and understanding of responsibility by the officers aboard”.
However, the inquiry found Captain Schluchter had made the right decision in not letting the crew leave the ship.
This decision had reduced the risk of injury, and ensured that the ship had sufficient crew when the Kouris was refloated.
The inquiry also found that by completing the inerting operation of the cargo tanks, the risk of fire or explosion was minimised, thus protecting life and property.
FLASHBACK FRIDAY
Every Friday we delve into the Leader archives to embark on some time travel.
We will bring you a photograph of a news event from 57 years of Leader news coverage that you may or may not recall.
Flashback Friday submissions are also welcomed.
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