A sea-going salvage tug and two Albany Port Authority tugs moved the damaged vessel from its previous protected anchorage two nautical miles north of Breaksea Island to Frenchman Bay on Tuesday.

Department for Planning and Infrastructure oil spill response coordinator Mandy Dearden said the department, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the port allowed the vessel to move into King George Sound after an initial assessment of damage and status of the fuel and grain on board.

“Tides and swell conditions off Breaksea Island have made it impossible for divers to access the rudder and stern area of the vessel, and its relocation to Frenchman Bay will allow this,” Ms Dearden said.

The bulk carrier lost its steering after hitting an object on July 15 about six nautical miles off Albany.

The vessel was moved to Breaksea Island last Friday to allow an initial inspection by an assessor flown out by a WA Police helicopter, believed to have been the only one available with a winch in the state.

Ms Dearden said the risk of an oil spill from the vessel remained low.

“As a precaution Department staff trained in oil spill response are in Albany monitoring the vessel in conjunction with members of the AMSA’s National Response Team,” Ms Dearden said.

“Additional oil spill response equipment has also been transported to Albany.”

Ms Dearden said the Department was working closely with the port, the salvors and other authorities to ensure adequate assistance was provided for the vessel without further risk to the local environment.