Repairs to start on Cape Africa

Now that the damaged 150,000DWT Capesize bulker Cape Africa has been towed into False Bay and is presently at anchor two miles off Simon?s Town in South Africa, the second phase of a salvage operation to repair the holed vessel is expected to commence on Wednesday. The repair process would begin with the fitment of a ?habitat? over the area of structural damage to the vessel.

This ?habitat?, which has been constructed in Simon’s Town, is a substantial steel structure measuring some 26m by 11m by 1.5m and in size and, weather permitting, the barge Niord would transport the habitat to the bulk carrier on Wednesday morning where the metal structure will be secured into position alongside the bulk carrier, adjacent to the area of structural damage. The structure will be hoisted into position over the area of damage and held in place while water is being pumped out of number three hold. The outside pressure of the water on the structure will seal it against the ship’s hull plating and, once in place, it will be welded in position thereby creating a safe environment in which to conduct the necessary repairs. The salvors expect that this process would take approximately three weeks.

The carrier is carrying a cargo of iron ore and was en-route to the Far East when she experienced trouble in April, resulting in her crew abandoning ship. The first phase of the salvage operation was completed last week with the removal of approximately 1,800 tonnes of bunker fuel.