At 1218 on 17 May 2012, about 600 kilometres NE from Cairns, the bulk carrier ID Integrity suffered a main engine breakdown in the Coral Sea while it was on passage from China to Townsville, Queensland. The crew could not repair the main engine and the ship drifted in a westerly direction towards the Great Barrier Reef.

On 19 May, Australian tugs were despatched to assist the disabled ship as it drifted closer towards the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. On 20 May, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's tug Pacific Responder had ID Integrity under tow with another two tugs  in attendance. The ship was towed to Cairns, where it was anchored at 1400 on 23 May for inspection and repairs.

The ATSB initiated an investigation into the incident on 21 May and despatched two investigators to attend the ship. The investigators attended the ship at Cairns and collected information for the ATSB safety investigation. When a draft investigation report is prepared, it will be forwarded to directly involved parties for comment.

A report has not yet been released for this investigation.