MEDIA RELEASE
Wellard advises that one its ships, the MV Ocean Drover, is not achieving the success rates normally expected or achieved by the vessel, due to a number of issues it has encountered on its current voyage to the Gulf of Aqaba.
The company has advised the Department of Agriculture Fisheries that the sheep and cattle mortality rate on board the vessel is currently exceeding the reportable threshold, which will trigger an automatic investigation into the voyage. Wellard will co-operate fully with that investigation.
A longer than normal voyage duration due to mechanical issues, which caused the vessel to stop for repairs and then travel at 70% of its normal high speed, and a change in feed prompted by the extended voyage, have been the main causes of the mortality on board.
“This result is extremely disappointing and unacceptable to our company,” said Wellard Managing Director Mauro Balzarini.
“The Ocean Drover has consistently been a high performance vessel. Its voyage success rate on more than 130 voyages in the past 12 years is 99.32 per cent for sheep and 99.82 per cent for cattle, which exceeds the industry average for both species. We strive for 100 per cent success, so to exceed the reportable threshold on this voyage is unsatisfactory.
“We will make changes as a result of this issue, but we need to thoroughly assess what they should be.”
The livestock on board the vessel continue to be cared for by an AQIS accredited veterinarian and four Australian stockmen. In addition, Wellard’s shore-based veterinarian and an independent veterinarian engaged by Wellard have been providing additional support to the on-board vet, stockmen and crew.
The provision of feed, water and ventilation to the 42,000 sheep and 6,000 cattle on board the vessel have been unaffected by the vessel’s mechanical issues due to the back-up systems built into the ship to protect and enhance animal welfare.
Wellard is providing regular reports to the Department of Agriculture.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Cameron Morse
Phone: + 61 8 9485 8888
Mobile: +61 433 886 871