Stricken ship still on hold

2004-06-15 15:14

Cape Town - Salvors are awaiting confirmation on whether the holed bulk carrier Cape Africa can be towed to the port of Cape Town for repair work.

The latest development follows a frustrating period for salvors whose salvage attempts have been beset with technical problems, such as the collapse of a cofferdam or "second skin" placed alongside the structural damage, which inadvertently caused more damage to the vessel.

The joint response committee said in a statement on Tuesday they were waiting for a specialised vessel to arrive in False Bay to aid them with the repair work.

The specialised vessel, the Bandar, will be used to remove about 80 000 tons of iron ore cargo and lighten the load of the Cape Africa.

"The Cape Africa will then have been sufficiently lightened to enable her to be towed to a port where repairs can be undertaken," the statement read.

Once she's lighter, the area of structural damage to hold number three will be partially above the waterline and salvors will be able to complete temporary repairs to hold number four prior to her being towed to a port.

The Bandar is expected to arrive in False Bay, where the Cape Africa is anchored, around June 25.

According to the joint response committee, of "paramount importance" during the bulk carrier's time at anchor in False Bay - considered by the SA Maritime Safety Authority to be a place of refuge for the damaged vessel and not a location in which to conduct permanent repairs - is the protection of the marine environment.

To this end, both proactive and reactive environmental protection measures are in place, with for example the oil pollution patrol and abatement vessel Kuswag IV performing regular patrols.

The salvage team also has strict anti-littering and garbage disposal control measures in place, including the regular removal of this waste in an enclosed waste skip by launch vessel to Simon's Town.

The oil pollution patrol aircraft, Kuswag VIII, also patrols False Bay regularly, with contingency plans remaining in place for all river estuaries and for Seal Island and the Boulders penguin colony.

The Cape Africa ran into trouble off the Cape coast in April, with the master and crew airlifted of the vessel as a precautionary measure on April 28 after extensive structural damage in hold number three was reported.

- SAPA