The live export vessel forced by mechanical difficulties to return to Fremantle last week just two days into a three week voyage to Israel has been repaired and will resume its journey today.

The Pearl of Para was loaded with 5240 cattle when a damaged propellor shaft coupling forced its return to Fremantle last week.

Engineers completed the manufacture of a new part to replace a coupling on Monday and fitted the new component to the ship on Tuesday.

The Pearl of Para was restocked with feed yesterday, and, after anchoring off the WA coast last night, was due to resume its journey to Israel today, Australian Livestock Exporters Council Alison Penfold told Beef Central.

The RSCPA said it boarded the Pearl of Para before it left Fremantle last night and said the cattle appeared to be in good condition and Inspectors found no breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.

The RSPCA said its chief inspector conducted an extensive inspection of the cattle housed across all seven levels of the vessel.

The cattle have been on board since September 3.

“RSPCA has received a significant amount of calls and emails over the last week from people who are concerned about the welfare of the cattle on board the ship,” RSPCA Australia president Lynne Bradshaw said.

“After days of planning and discussions with the exporter, we are pleased that the RSPCA was allowed to board the ship to assess the condition of the animals.

“The RSPCA’s Inspectorate staff are highly trained and experienced at assessing the welfare of animals, so we felt it was appropriate that the RSPCA should be able to board the ship and give an independent assessment of the situation and we were pleased that this has happened,” Mrs Bradshaw said.

The RSPCA has also been in communication with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the State Minister for Agriculture’s Office in relation to the invitation. Both were supportive of the RSPCA making an independent assessment of the situation.

The ship will leave Western Australia today for Israel and the RSPCA will continue to liaise with authorities about the welfare of the animals on board.