Sealand operators optimistic

2003-08-30 11:43

Cape Town - Operators attempting to refloat the stricken Sealand Express - beached close to shore in Milnerton here - expressed "cautioned optimism" early on Saturday morning that their work would bear fruit later that day.

Spokesperson for the operators, Evelyn John Holtzhausen, said salvors, taking advantage of the high tide at 05:00 on Saturday morning, managed to move the Sealand Express about half a ship's length forward.

Holtzhausen, who also said the stricken ship was now pointing more in the direction of the harbour, added that salvors would try move the ship again at high tide 17:00.

Until then, he said operators would keep the tow wires attached to the ship from three tugs - Pacific Ariki, Pacific Brigand and Pacific Worker - in place.

The tugs, with a combined bollard pull of 400 tons, put strain on the tow wires so as to prevent the ship from becoming too lively during the deballasting process.

The vessel, which grounded off Sunset Beach in Table Bay last week, had 3 700 tons of fuel onboard.

All 3 518 tons of the pumpable heavy fuel oil has been removed, leaving approximately 108 tons of heavy fuel oil in the settling and service tanks and approximately 80 tons of unpumpable heavy fuel oil.

Stress monitors fitted to the ship's hull have indicated her condition is still sound.

- SAPA