A gas tanker, the Bougainville, encountered a significant setback off the Victorian coast when it lost its propeller during pre-arrival engine testing near Hastings in Western Port. The Panama-flagged vessel, carrying approximately 1000 tonnes of propane gas, was left stranded near Phillip Island in Bass Strait awaiting emergency towage vessels. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed the incident and is working with the vessel's operator to arrange a safe tow to a repair facility. Despite the setback, AMSA assured that the vessel currently poses no risk to the community or marine environment. The cause of the propeller shaft failure is under investigation. The Bougainville, part of the Geogas Group's fleet, serves to distribute gas across East Coast Australia, PNG, NZ, and the Pacific Islands. It is managed by Geogas Trading SA of Geneva and registered to Sansha Shipping SA