This Norwegian-flagged supply vessel answered fire-hit Mallacoota’s SOS

A ship arrived off Mallacoota on New Year’s eve — but it wasn’t the much-anticipated Navy. Without fanfare, the Norwegian-flagged supply vessel Far Saracen arrived at the bushfire-besieged town in response to an SOS call from Victoria’s Emergency Services. Read the full story

FULL STORY

Praise for crew of the Far Saracen supply vessel that answered Mallacoota’s bushfires SOS

As smoke lay thick and heavy across Mallacoota, an unfamiliar vessel came slowly into view.

Key points

  • The Norwegian-flagged supply vessel normally services gas and oil platforms
  • It brought food and water for the 4,000 people stranded there and diesel to power generators
  • The crew cared for the sick and elderly until HMAS Choules arrived to evacuate the stranded people

It was much larger than the fishing boats and yachts usually in the area and it was not the much-anticipated Navy.

On New Year’s Eve, without fanfare, the Norwegian-flagged supply vessel Far Saracen arrived at Mallacoota answering an SOS call from Victoria’s emergency services.

Its crew of 14 Australian and Kiwi seafarers were the first to reach the town via the water.

They brought much-needed supplies to the thousands of locals and tourists huddled on the beach sheltering from the fire wreaking havoc on the town.

 

Shared from ABC app

This news item shared by Norman Alwyn (whose son is the C/E on this vessel)