The stranded LPG tanker, the Bougainville, which was towed into anchorage off Cowes on February 7, looks set to leave our shores tomorrow afternoon.

In early February the LPG tanker's propeller sheared off completely out at sea off Seal Rocks. The crippled vessel was safely towed into Flinders and then moved to Cowes.

A spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the authority was satisfied the ship was safe in its current location, and confirmed it is scheduled to leave tomorrow, heading for Singapore.

 "An ocean-going tug Pt Fortitude has arrived and is currently standing by the vessel, preparing to tow the vessel to Singapore for repair," the spokesperson said.

"AMSA and the Regional Harbour Master will continue to monitor local weather forecasts and can direct the tug to immediately secure the vessel should environmental conditions indicate it is warranted. 

"The ship is scheduled to depart Hasting under tow tomorrow afternoon (Friday March 1). 

"The crew are reported to be safe and well, and the vessel has been reprovisioned with food and water."

History

The vessel found itself in distress a few kilometres off Seal Rocks on February 2 and was taken by tugs first to Flinders, then towed to anchor off Cowes.

At the time, an AMSA spokesperson said the cause of the propeller shaft failure was yet to be determined and confirmed the vessel currently holds approximately 1000 tonnes of Propane gas on board.

"AMSA takes its role as a maritime regulator seriously and is satisfied that the vessel currently does not pose a risk to the community or the marine environment," the spokesperson told the Advertiser.

A local boat operator said it would be a massive operation to get a propeller back on the ship, and most likely would need to be done in a dry dock.

Ship propellers can weigh anything up to a tonne, depending on the size of the ship.

Despite dire forecasts on social media that the ship could be anchored off Cowes for "months or years", as has happened in other countries, the Bougainville's stay off Cowes was a little over three weeks.