VIDEO: Pilot honoured by port for nerves of steel
A video of the battered vessel tossing from side to side like a toy, went viral on Facebook.
ANOTHER incredible story that came out of the extreme tidal waves on Sunday, 12 March, was the harrowing ordeal of a large ship attempting to make its way into Durban’s harbour.
A video taken by Drieka Dercksen Lubbe, of the battered vessel tossing from side to side like a toy, went viral on Facebook.
This past week, the Port of Durban honoured the marine pilot, Rainer Rauntenberg, whose job it was to steer the ship into the port through the restless sea. Harbour Master Alex Miya said, “The pilot’s bravery to safely bring in a vessel in high wind conditions and large ocean swells proves that the Port of Durban is always ready to service its customers and will not let adverse weather conditions delay vessel turn-around time, whilst adhering to maritime safety precautions.”
A statement released by Transnet Port Authority said that because of the dramatic weather conditions, the Port of Durban sent out three tugs to steer in the vessel instead of the usual one or two. The wind speed on the day was recorded at between 30 to 40 knots.
“It was challenging to bring in a vessel in such rough weather conditions but my focus was to make sure that it was safely berthed,” said Rauntenberg.
