South African Coast News

Odfjell Drilling and Semco Maritime signed a contract for preparation and modification of Deepsea Stavanger rig prior to its start of a nine-month drilling campaign for Total in the harsh waters outside South Africa.The semi-submersible rig will complete a high docking (with thrusters on) in Semco Maritime’s rig yard at Hanøytangen, Bergen, in Q1 2020, said the  oil drilling, well service, and engineering company."The high docking enables for a minimized diving operation during antifouling of the hull and optimization of the time spent on seawater valve change,” said Managing Director of Semco Maritime Norway, Lars Jønholt Halvorsen.

South Africa’s smallest commercial port, the Port of Mossel Bay is well equipped to provide value following global energy giant Total’s significant gas condensate discovery on the Brulpadda prospects, located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175 kilometres off the southern coast of South Africa, announced Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).The authority has dispelled criticism that it may not be ready to answer the call for capacity necessitated by the recent discovery of vast amounts of gas condensate about 175 kilometres south of Mossel Bay.Mossel Bay Port Manager Shadrack Tshikalange said the port’s role in the drilling expedition involved providing land and quay space for the logistics base operations…

Fire onboard a boat or ship is generally considered the most dangerous situation on the water. While advances in technology have helped to mitigate risk, consistently investing to upgrade a crew’s firefighting training, skills and equipment is the best means to keep crew, ship and cargo safe if disaster strikes. While innovative new fire-resistant materials and advanced fire suppression equipment onboard ships and boats has helped to improve fire security, technology alone is not a one-stop security blanket in the quest to keep crew and ship free from harm in the case of a fire.

Titan Salvage, now a part of Ardent following completion of the merger of Titan and Svitzer Salvage, has completed the removal of the wreck of the cape-size MV Smart coal carrier in South Africa, an especially challenging project due to weather conditions that prevail on the South African coast, particularly during the winter period. The removal of the vessel, which was entered in North P&I Club by owner Alpha Marine, has been accomplished on time and on budget due collaboration with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Titan and North.

South Africa’s charity National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was warning fishermen and other boaters in and around the Cape Peninsula and False Bay Coast to be aware of a “barely visible” capsized boat. A few days later though, the wreck had disappeared! NSRI warned that that a large fishing vessel capsized and has been floating in a shipping lane some 9.8 miles south off Cape Point since May 1. The wreck had first been sighted by local fishermen returning from deep sea on Thursday. They reported their find to the NSRI in Simon's Town. The NSRI had inspected the hulk, but its tug was not big enough to tow it. Hence they marked it with strobe lights attached to life jackets to ensure the safety of fishermen at night.

SMIT Salvage has been busy responding and providing emergency pollution prevention services to casualties off the South African coast and in the Orinoco River. SMIT is currently assisting the products carrier Nino and the general cargo vessel TMP Sagitarius. Both vessels went aground on rocks off the coast of East London, between Durban and Port Elizabeth, on July 18 within hours of each other. During June, SMIT was awarded three LOF contracts involving a grounding in Venezuela and two casualties with engine problems off the South African coast. On June 22, the 39,607 dwt Grigoroussa 1 dragged her anchors in the Orinoco River, Puerto Ordaz. The 1976-built vessel was nearly fully laden, carrying 35,000 tonnes of coal upriver.