Loss of the Ocean Odyssey.
The Ocean Odyssey, aground on Burrewatta Point. RF.
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Owned by the Battagliolo family of Ulladulla, the long line trawler Ocean Odyssey ran aground on the south side of Burrewarra Point in the early hours of Saturday 23 April 2005. The craft had been fishing for baitfish when the skipper noticed problems with the steering, and went into the control area to investigate. While he was there, the boat ran aground.
Batemans Bay Coastal Patrol and another trawler were able to remove 1500 litres of fuel and stopped further leaks. Over the next couple of days, the boat broke in two. Treasure seekers removed valuable items, but left tonnes of environmentally dangerous material. That included kilometres of heavy long-line fishing lines, the first aid kit, computer gear, rubber and plastic hoses and mats, and a mircowave oven. The boat's engine, gearbox and batteries were under water. There were engine oil drums without lids, and cubic metres of the yellow buoyancy foam that is built into such craft. |
The local and state governments debated who was responsible for the control of the debris, and a week after the accident they had done nothing to prevent pollution from the site. A small band of concerned locals had started moving what they could to higher ground, away from the hungry sea. As well, they were taking the more toxic material away for proper disposal.
Fortunately, the seas were staying slight. But frustrated by the lack of official action, and knowing that rough seas were bound to follow the current calmer weather, the volunteers shot a video of the site, and passed it to the local newspaper with a plea for help. After a journalist and photographer had been guided to the wreckage, on Tuesday 3 May 2005, ten days after the wreck, the newspaper again asked the Council what was being done? The response was that it was NSW Maritime's responsibility, and NSW Maritime had told the local Council on Friday 29 April that because of the seas the clean up may be delayed. But there was no need for concern, Council told the newspaper, as there was only a small amount of minor debris there.
The visit by the journalist and the photographer showed that the advice from Council was far from accurate, and the next day the newspaper printed an expose of the situation. Suddenly, the Wollongong Harbour Master was tasked with the clean-up. Contracts were let, and the loose debris removed before the next bout of wild seas. Finally, the hull was cut into pieces, and ferried by helicopter to Barlings Beach, from where it was trucked to the Surf Beach Tip.
More than a month later, people doing informal litter patrols on Broulee Island were still picking up the yellow buoyancy foam that had drifted from one side of Broulee Bay to the other. It could have been so much worse, there is a video to show that. To view it click here.
Fortunately, the seas were staying slight. But frustrated by the lack of official action, and knowing that rough seas were bound to follow the current calmer weather, the volunteers shot a video of the site, and passed it to the local newspaper with a plea for help. After a journalist and photographer had been guided to the wreckage, on Tuesday 3 May 2005, ten days after the wreck, the newspaper again asked the Council what was being done? The response was that it was NSW Maritime's responsibility, and NSW Maritime had told the local Council on Friday 29 April that because of the seas the clean up may be delayed. But there was no need for concern, Council told the newspaper, as there was only a small amount of minor debris there.
The visit by the journalist and the photographer showed that the advice from Council was far from accurate, and the next day the newspaper printed an expose of the situation. Suddenly, the Wollongong Harbour Master was tasked with the clean-up. Contracts were let, and the loose debris removed before the next bout of wild seas. Finally, the hull was cut into pieces, and ferried by helicopter to Barlings Beach, from where it was trucked to the Surf Beach Tip.
More than a month later, people doing informal litter patrols on Broulee Island were still picking up the yellow buoyancy foam that had drifted from one side of Broulee Bay to the other. It could have been so much worse, there is a video to show that. To view it click here.
Debris from The Ocean Odyssey. RF.
