Leaky Ballast Line Disables Ship

The Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) released its investigation into the engineroom flooding on the bulk carrier HARMONIC PROGRESS in the Coral Sea on April 16, 2004. Leaks in valves in the ballast line resulted in the main ballast line being pressurized, causing it to discharge and flood the engineroom. The crew was new, the ship having recently changed owners, and the handover was found to be inadequate. As a result, the personnel were unable to quickly find and correct the problem. Marine Safety Investigation No. 202 (HK Law).