A bulk carrier estimated to be about 300 metres long has taken on water off the coast of Mackay in Queensland's north.
A distress call was made before midday for the bulk carrier Frontier Unity while the ship was waiting to moor at Hay Point in a coal-loading zone.
A Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) spokesperson said the were 24 people on board the ship, which was located about 15 nautical miles offshore.
MSQ general manager Kell Dillon said the boat began taking on water in the engine room when the pumps ceased to work.
Volunteer Marine Rescue was called by police to assist in the incident, ferrying divers and engineers to assess the damage.
Mr Dillon said emergency repairs had been initiated with the situation "stabilised" as of 5pm, but emergency boats remain on stand-by to move the vessel to shallower water if the situation were to deteriorate.
"Tugs from Hay Point have been deployed to undertake this task under the oversight of MSQ," he said.
MSQ is leading the response with Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and Australian Maritime Safety Authority advised and supporting.
