Lady set to sail
A major repair completed - Yashin Singh, Sathie Reddy, Dilip Singh (Seabulk Marine), Chief Osamah Smin (Chief Superintendant Engineer, Mamari Shipping), Ronn Singh (owner, Seabulk Marine), Reshane Singh, Roy Singh (Seabulk Marine) and seated Jasper Yankiah (Chandling International)
Tanya Waterworth
AFTER lying in the Small Craft Harbour for well over a year, the 'Lady Josephine' will finally set sail by the end of the week.
Formerly known as the 'Lady East', the vessel attracted national attention when her abandoned crew painted a large SOS on the side of the ship's hull in February.
When the vessel arrived in the Port of Richards Bay it was found to require substantial repairs, including metal wasting which had resulted in holes in the underside.
The bulk cargo ship was deemed to be unseaworthy and was arrested.
A lengthy court action left the sailors desperate to get home and following a High Court hearing in Durban at the end of February, the vessel went on auction.
New owners, Mamari Shipping based in Syria, contracted local Seabulk Marine to perform extensive structural repairs, in what may well be the biggest ship repair to have taken place in the port.
Seabulk Marine's Ronn Singh said that over 120 tonnes of steel were used in the structural frames, while 510 metres of steel piping were also required.
'Major structural repairs were needed, including fabricating the frames on the quayside and in the workshop.
'There were on-going safety inspections throughout the project, with a 100% record listed.
'This type of contract highlights the need for a drydock in the port,' said Singh.
The Chief Superintendent Engineer for Mamari Shipping, Osamah Smin, was on board on Tuesday finalising last minute preparations prior to the vessel sailing.
'We were very happy with the work done by the local contractors who were always willing to find solutions when difficulties arose,' said Smin.
No comments:
Post a Comment