Salvors struggle with ship

2004-06-02 21:14

Cape Town - Salvors have abandoned an attempt to fit a massive steel cofferdam over the holed Cape Africa, cutting the structure loose to avoid further damage to the ship.

The 286m², 65-ton cofferdam is now lying on a sandy bottom in 39m of water in False Bay, from where it will be recovered later.

The joint response committee which is overseeing the salvage said in a statement on Wednesday evening that the cofferdam was transferred from the barge Niord on Tuesday and held in place over the damaged area during the afternoon.

However, with the strong surge of water in and out of the breached hold, as well as an increasing swell, the cofferdam breached a double bottom tank which flooded.

New hole

To avoid further damage, the cofferdam was released in the early hours of Wednesday.

Divers had located the new hole, about 20cm x 20cm, and it was being repaired.

Salvors were now evaluating alternatives to the cofferdam in consultation with the South African Maritime Safety Authority and the department of environmental affairs.

It had been intended to place the cofferdam over the hole then pump out water so the sea would hold it in place against the hull while repairs were being carried out.

The Cape Africa, a bulk carrier with a load of iron ore, was en route to the Far East from Brazil when she reported a massive hole in her hull.

She was held under tow 150 nautical miles west of Cape Town while her fuel oil was pumped off before being brought into False Bay for repairs.

- SAPA