Cape Africa repairs hit snag

Smit Salvage has temporarily abandoned attempts to fit the 65 tonne steel cofferdam over the hole in the damaged Capesize bulk carrier Cape Africa. The joint response committee, which is overseeing the salvage, said in a statement that the cofferdam was transferred from the barge Niord on Tuesday and held in place over the damaged area during the afternoon.

However, with the strong surge of water in and out of the breached hold, as well as an increasing swell, the cofferdam breached a double bottom tank, which flooded, and the salvage company decided to cut the cofferdam structure loose to avoid further damage to the ship. The cofferdam is now lying on the seabed 39m of water in False Bay, from where it will be recovered later.

Salvors are now evaluating alternatives to the cofferdam in consultation with the South African Maritime Safety Authority and the department of environmental affairs. It had been intended to place the cofferdam over the hole then pump out water so the sea would hold it in place against the hull while repairs were being carried out.

Marine engineers were going to build a second cofferdam after they discovered more damage to the ship’s hull at number 4 cargo hold.