Ship’s crew refuse to sail after finding contaminant in water

Concerns over an unknown yellow substance coating the inside of water pipes on a vessel docked in Broome have led its crew to refuse to sail the vessel until the water supply is cleaned.

The Nautika Pride’s crew first complained about water from the vessel’s hot water system in January and have taken to holding their noses while showering and rinsing themselves off with bottled water.

The crew discovered the yellow substance, which they said was “sort of solid” but “runs like pus when disturbed”, during an inspection of the Nautika Pride’s hot water system after arriving in Broome.

Maritime Union of Australia’s Noel Nielsen said the vessel’s operators had agreed to take the inspection plates off the water supply and have a look.

“Frankly, everyone was horrified, including the company,” he said.

Mr Nielsen said the union was calling on the company to carry out tests on the vessel’s water to find out if the crew had been exposed to anything harmful.

He said the whole water supply needed to be stripped down and cleaned out to prevent any health problems among the crew.

“They have obligations under international law to keep the vessel clean and they have an obligation under the health and safety act to make sure the workers have a clean water supply,” he said.

The vessel’s operators, Perthbased company Offshore Marine Services, have been in talks with the union over the crew’s concerns.

The company declined to comment on the situation.