The Antigua and Barbuda flagged 9,739-dwt Thor Commander (built 2011) reported on Sunday night that it had damaged its main engine.

The vessel was drifting north-east of Perkins Reef and north of Elusive Reef in the Swains Reefs group, about 379km north-east of Gladstone when it was disabled.

On Tuesday morning, a towline was established between the disabled vessel and the tug Smit Leopard from Gladstone.

The