M/V Smart, A bulk carrier carrying nearly 150 000 tons of coal has buckled and broken into two parts after running aground on a sandbank after exiting Richards Bay harbour on Monday.
The vessel, MV Smart, registered in Panama, was leaving the harbour in 10m swells when it ran into trouble just out of the port’s entrance channel, 250m off the main public beach at Richards Bay.
The vessel split in two late on Monday night and by Tuesday morning it was partly submerged.
There are concerns that oil spillage from the ship’s bunkers could cause damage in the nearby Richards Bay Game Reserve and to mangroves inside the harbour. The reserve’s estuary mouth is only 6km south of where the ship is breaking up.
A team from the South African Maritime Authority (Samsa) were on board the vessel this morning, spokesman Captain Saroor Ali said.
He that while the ship had broken in half, the oil tanks were still intact.
“We are trying to remove the 1 769 tons of fuel from the vessel as well as 130 tons of diesel and some other oils.
“It’s too early to say what was the cause for the ship running aground as our priority right now is saving our coast,” he said.
A large crowd of onlookers had gathered, taking pictures and watching the drama.
Kevin Green, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife district conservation officer in Richards Bay, said they were standing by awaiting the final recommendations from Samsa.
He said that there did not seem to be any immediate danger to the sanctuary which is next door to the Richards Bay port and not far off from stricken MV Smart.
“At the moment, it is ‘so far so good’. There are oil contingency plans in place and we will treat this as it happens,” said Green.
Port operator, Transnet, said the vessel completed loading at Richards Bay Coal Terminal shortly after 10am yesterday and began sailing from the terminal just before 1.30pm.
The ship was en route to Fangcheng port in China.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was called in to assist three Transnet port tug boats which tried to pull the 273m long, 43m wide cargo ship, off the sand banks following a distress call.
According to Captain Rufus Lekala, Chief Harbour Master Transnet National Ports Authority, the vessel was not under their pilotage when it ran aground.
NSRI spokesman, Chris Lambinon, said the ship had been pushed onto sand banks while leaving the harbour in very rough seas of 10m swells.
The 23-man crew had to be airlifted once the captain called for it to be abandoned, he said.
Paramedics examined the crew members, Netcare spokesman, Chris Botha, said.
“Although they were shaken they had sustained no injuries during the ordeal and were left with the shipping agents.”
Preston Khomo, TNPA Ports Manager, said the port’s business continuity plan had been invoked.
“TNPA is closely monitoring any impact on the environment and there is no anticipated economic impact on the Port of Richards Bay. The entrance channel is safe for shipping, however, due to current adverse weather conditions, ingress and egress to the port has been suspended until further notice,” Khomo said.
On Tuesday morning a port helicopter flew overhead, monitoring the situation. Other authorities, such as the police water wing, were also watching from the port control tower, about 200m away from the stricken vessel.