Friday, 29 July 2011

Ship ‘runs’ aground

The 164-metre bulk tanker ’Phoenix’, which ran aground at Salt Rock on Tuesday

In a remarkable display of technical rescue flying ability, Richards Bay’s port pilot and crew were at the forefront of dangerous winching efforts as high sea swells crashed over the vessel Phoenix, which ran aground off Salt Rock on Tuesday. Pilot Douglas Nichols and Hoist Operator, Thembi Xawuka steering the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) helicopter were initially dispatched on Tuesday morning to assist in placing crew members from Salvor Smit Salvage, on board Phoenix. However, a combined effort saw three Phoenix crew members being successfully hoisted into the TNPA Richards Bay chopper. With pilots fighting hard to maintain the aircraft’s integrity against incredible odds, NSRI spokes-person Craig Lambinon, told the Zululand Observer that the combined efforts of pilots, rescue crews and salvors averted a potential maritime disaster. ‘Commendations are made to the pilots and crews of the three helicopters involved in the combined rescue operation, which saw crew being hoisted into the helicopters in relays while pilots and engineers fought to stabilise the helicopter during winching efforts. ‘This included the SA Police Service helicopter, the TNPA helicopter and the SA Air Force 15 Squadron Oryx helicopter,’ said Lambinon. The 15 Indian crew members, who were uninjured, were airlifted off the vessel and a salvage crew was landed on board to assess whether the vessel could be re-floated or the oil should be pumped ashore. Later on Tuesday afternoon, the TNPA Richards Bay chopper also airlifted divers involved in salvage operations off the vessel.