UPDATE: MV Smart salvage sign-off approved
MV Smart shipwreck salvage gets positive report.
THE demanding and complex salvage of the stricken MV Smart coal carrier that ran aground off the harbour entrance at Alkantstrand in August 2013 has been declared both fully completed and an overwhelming success.
The salvage process was in fact heralded as a world class effort when stakeholders held their final meeting at the Richards Bay Ski Boat Club yesterday.
‘Thanks to excellent co-operation between all parties, including national, provincial and local government authorities, a disaster was averted and all conditions pertaining to the salvage have been met,’ said Capt Nigel Campbell, Executive Head: Centre for Ships of SAMSA (SA Maritime Safety Authority).
‘The mandate was to remove all the cargo, followed by disposal of the wreck itself, and restoration of the site to its original state.
‘This has been achieved thanks to an excellent operation, with no serious injuries despite the tough sea conditions.
‘Shipwrecks of this stature are fairly rare and there was lots of learning and skills transfer during the operation – where professionalism and best practice prevailed.’
Local spend
Campbell said the total cost of the salvage ran to R1.4-billion.
‘A significant amount, around R420-million, was spent in South Africa, most of this in Richards Bay for contractors and services.’
The technical and logistical aspects of the operation were described by Olaf Linnemann, Salvage Master of Titan Salvage, the project managers.
‘I believe the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs issued the most number of emergency permits ever, which was a huge positive.
‘The complexity of the salvage was coupled with extreme winter weather and rough seas, and the wreck at times was covered by up to eight metres of sand.
‘Some 26 500 tonnes of coal was dumped and once the wreck had been removed, 71 200 cubic metres of dredge sand was pumped to fill the hole left on the sea bed.’
Satisfaction was also expressed by Hans van Rooy, representing the insurers, P&I.
‘We are very happy with the way things went.
‘This was a model operation even though it was a bit stop-start because of the weather, making it more costly and time consuming.
‘But it was completed on time and on budget thanks to the collaborative efforts. The co-operation from SAMSA and Transnet NPA was especially highly valued.’
For more MV Smart stories, click HERE
PHOTO: Dave Savides
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