Strong winds drove four vessels off their berths at the Port of Brisbane in late November.
At about 15:12 local time on 24 November, gale force winds pushed a car carrier away from the wharf during berth, resulting in the mooring lines parting, the ship moved to the centre of the channel, and two tugs being required to push the ship alongside.
A few minutes after the car carrier was pushed away, two separate containerships broke away from their berths. One vessel moved to the other side of the channel and grounded, the other box ship lost its mooring lines and moved into the channel. In both cases, pilots boarded the ship and conducted it to anchorage.
At about the same time, yet another container ship partially broke away from its berth when its aft mooring lines parted. The remaining mooring lines kept the vessel close to the wharf.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating.
