Gulf 'ghost ship' search fails to unlock mystery
ABC Online, Australia
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Customs officers have not been able to find many clues about how an unmanned ship came to be drifting in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Customs spokesman, Matt Wardell, says they boarded the abandoned tanker this morning, south-west of Weipa.
Mr Wardell says they have been able to identify the 80-metre long boat as the Jian Seng, but have not discovered its nationality or port of registry.He says a broken tow-rope is hanging from its bow.
"Our boarding party, following a search of the vessel, has speculated that the vessel was inoperable and under tow when the tow-rope broke and it was subsequently abandoned and has drifted into its current position in Australian waters," he said.He says they will continue to monitor the boat until they decide what to do with it.
Mar 25, 2006
ABC Online, Australia
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Customs officers have not been able to find many clues about how an unmanned ship came to be drifting in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Customs spokesman, Matt Wardell, says they boarded the abandoned tanker this morning, south-west of Weipa.
Mr Wardell says they have been able to identify the 80-metre long boat as the Jian Seng, but have not discovered its nationality or port of registry.He says a broken tow-rope is hanging from its bow.
"Our boarding party, following a search of the vessel, has speculated that the vessel was inoperable and under tow when the tow-rope broke and it was subsequently abandoned and has drifted into its current position in Australian waters," he said.He says they will continue to monitor the boat until they decide what to do with it.
Mar 25, 2006
