Probe into grounded ship begins
21/08/2003 17:33  - (SA)  

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Stranded ship to stay - for now Sealand records non-existent Stranded ship to lose fuel Ship still stuck Dunes also at risk

Cape Town - A two-person team of investigators from the United States Coast Guard has made initial contact with the master of the stranded Sealand Express, a USCG spokeseprson said on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the USCG inspectorate, Michael Leon Guerrero, said from offices in Rotterdam that the team arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Their brief was to gather information on the circumstances around the grounding of the vessel, which sails under a United States flag.

Their recommendations would be passed to higher levels in the USCG for a decision on further action.

"Our normal procedure is not to jump to a formal inquiry," Guerrero said.

The results of a probe such as this one could range from simple safety recommendations, to a suspension or removal of a master's ticket.

The two investigators were based in the USCG Rotterdam office, which was responsible for inspections of US flag vessels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He did not know how long they would be in South Africa.

They would presumably also speak to South African authorities.

- SAPA

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