Read Authentic Ratings for the Asphalt-Spirit

The captain of the 'Asphalt Spirit' faced a hefty fine of 3,000 Australian dollars due to a significant oversight in reporting a main engine failure. This incident unfolded at approximately 4 p.m. on January 31, 2019, when the vessel, en route from Korea to Australia, became adrift off the coast of Queensland. Despite the gravity of the situation, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was not notified of the breakdown until after 10 p.m., nearly six hours later. Experts projected a concerning forecast, indicating that the tanker could potentially run aground at the southern end of North Stradbroke Island within 17 hours if it continued to drift without propulsion. Furthermore, the ship's master did not acknowledge the situation until 1:30 a.m. on February 1, when he confirmed that engine repairs at sea were not possible. In response, AMSA initiated arrangements for an emergency tug from Brisbane; however, the vessel's insurance provider opted to coordinate a different tug, which successfully towed the tanker to Brisbane later that day. On December 9, 2019, the captain pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to one count of failing to promptly report a marine incident, a violation of section 11(1) of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983.