Master charged after Maersk vessel allegedly causes $1m of damage
Australian authorities file charges after boxship drags anchor through designated telecom cable area.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) have filed charges against the master of the Maersk Surabaya after her anchor allegedly damaged an undersea telecom cable off the coast of Western Australia earlier this month.
According to the AFP, a section of subsea cable in a designated cable protection zone located just off Perth’s City Beach was disabled early on 1st August.
A subsequent investigation of the ship’s log established that the vessel had been anchored 500 metres away and dragged through the area during high winds.
The cable took 12 days to repair at a cost of approximately $1m.
“The protection zone is clearly marked on maritime charts and all vessel masters should ensure vessels operate in a manner which does not interfere with critical communications infrastructure,” said AFP Detective Superintendent Graeme Marshall in a statement.
