SPENCER GULF

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Safework South Australia launched investigation in fire aboard offshore barge

Safework South Australia started investigating the causes of a fire that broke out on the "Spencer Gulf"' at Whyalla on Jan 11, 2017. The fire had broken out while the barge was moored alongside the bulkcarrier "Great Tang" (IMO: 9452464)off the coast of Whyalla on Jan 11, 2017. Thick black smoke could be seen from the town. The crews working on the barge, which is owned by CSL Australia, were quick to respond, but further support had be called in to help. Tugs were deployed to the scene, among them the "Larrakia" (IMO: 9373670) and "Tarpan" (IMO: 8317502). It turned out that the conveyor belt of the barge had caught fire, after discharging iron ore into the cargo ship’s holds. The barge had just finished offloading when the fire broke out. It was quickly extinguished with the assistance of bulkcarrier’s crew. The main problem now was bulk carriers’ load delays in Whyalla, in case repairs will take long time. About 80 people were out of work now.The bulkcarrier had moored off the port in the Spencer Gulf on Jan 9. Reports with photo and video: https://www.lloydslistaustralia.com.au/lla/market-sectors/dry-bulk-and-commodity-trades/Investigation-into-Whyalla-barge-blaze-547116.html http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/fire-breaks-out-on-ship-off-whyalla-coast/news-story/5c00f180f158ec7aafcf9e916c43aefc http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-12/80-people-without-work-after-barge-fire-near-whyalla/8177848 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-12/plumes-of-smoke-could-be-seen-from-whyalla-after-a/8178520