Bulker hit wharf in cyclone

[ombugge]

The MV Anikitos was still smashing against the wharf at Groote Eylandt on Tuesday.(Supplied)

Bulk carrier smashes into remote port during cyclone

A bulk carrier loaded with 41,000 tonnes of manganese ore has crashed into mining company South32’s loading wharf on the remote Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, causing “severe damage”.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed to ABC Rural the 189-metre MV Anikitos was alongside the wharf at Alyangula when Cyclone Megan hit the region over the weekend.
“On Saturday and Sunday [March 16-17], the vessel experienced severe weather of 100kph winds and 4m seas due to cyclonic weather in the area. The weather has now abated,” an AMSA spokesperson said.
The wharf has sustained severe damage, and the ship remains alongside.

In a statement, the NT’s Department of Environment said it was monitoring the situation and the MV Anikitos was “stable in location”. “There is no leak of fuels or oils at this time,” it said.
"The ship’s master is working to resolve the situation to move the ship away from the damaged wharf as soon as practicable.

The cyclone was forecast well in advance. Why was the ship still alongside when it hit the exposed Milne Bay Port on Groote Eylandt?:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ports/21702?name=MILNER-BAY&country=Australia

BalticShipping.com

[DamnYankee]

@ombugge

The cyclone was forecast well in advance. Why was the ship still alongside when it hit the exposed Milne Bay Port on Groote Eylandt?

Seamanship! /s

[ombugge]

Or lack of tugs to pull her off the wharf in time??

Groote Eylandt is fairly remote. Not sure if there are any harbour tugs stationed there, or if tugs from Gove are attend for berthing/unberthing operations there.
The only “major” port in the area is Weipa, on the opposite side of Gulf of Carpentaria.

With a cyclone brewing in the area, any harbour tugs around in the Gulf of Carpentaria MAY not have been able, or willing, to proceed into open waters?

PS> I haven’t been at any of those places since early 1970s, when the mines in Gove and GTE were still under development. Anybody have newer, or “inside information”?