Runaway 'rust bucket' breaks mooring in Tamar, shuts down Bell Bay

The MV Wyuna, a former AMC training ship that has sat in the Tamar for decades, broke loose from its mooring before 6.30am this morning.

Clarence Point resident Cherie Ann Ritchie said she had a double take when she spotted the Wyuna's unmistakable yellow from her window.

"I was surprised to see the Wyuna was actually leaving," she said.

"It's always been a sore point of how much longer it's going to stay moored at Beauty Point.

"I got totally sidetracked by the time - I didn't realise how quickly a couple of hours can go when you're watching what's happening on the river."

A "quite fast" outgoing tide of 3-4 knots helped the out-of-control vessel get halfway to Bass Strait.

It ran aground at Long Tom Reef, but managed to refloat and cover another 600 metres before being intercepted by tugs.

It has been temporarily moored at berth 7 at the Port of Bell Bay, where it will be inspected.

TasPorts chief executive Anthony McDonald said there had been numerous discussions between TasPorts and Wyuna's owners about the vessel's "deteriorating condition" and the safety of its mooring.

The most recent conversation was six to eight weeks ago.

'It was a very, very dangerous occurrence and something we would not like to ever see repeated," Mr Donald said.

"I want to acknowledge and thank the TasPorts' towage crews, VTS crew, pilots, marine and lines teams, who responded swiftly and safely to the incident, securing the vessel without further harm.

"We could have seen the vessel sink after it did run aground and block the channel, and that would have been catastrophic.

"While at this stage it appears the quick response has mitigated potential harm, TasPorts is prepared in the event an oil spill response is required and we have offered to undertake a hull inspection to assess the integrity of the vessel."

Bell Bay port was closed for about five hours while the rescue took place, delaying one inbound vessel.

The ship's escape brought about a range of reactions on social media, including one suggestion it be repurposed as the replacement Divo at Beauty Point.

"She is a lovely addition to our estuary," one wrote.

Another said: "It is a seagull infested rust bucket that unfortunately has run out of time and love. Needs permanent removal before it becomes a major problem to shipping and our Tamar River estuary."

MV Wyuna was donated in about 2013 to the Western Port Oberon Association, who planned to transform it into a floating museum in Victoria.

It was repainted and refit in 2015, but never left the Tamar.

"I'd imagine there needs to be some discussions with the owner around the next steps [and] the future of the vessel," Mr McDonald said.