Bulker narrowly escapes disaster

Treacherous weather takes it toll Ray Smuts THE MOUILLE Point coast adjacent to the Port of Cape Town has claimed its fair share of casualties over the centuries and came close to notching up another last Friday when gale force winds drove a large bulk carrier perilously close to the rocks. Office workers had their faced glued to windows and promenaders out for their morning jog or stroll in gale force winds and huge seas, watched in amazement as crew of the 315-metre, Panamanian-registered, New Harvest were seen scurrying about in an attempt to prevent the vessel from drifting stern first closer and closer to the shore until she was no more than 800 metres off. The vessel, due to undergo engine repairs in Cape Town, was waiting for a berth when she was ordered further out to sea due to the inclement weather. Attempts to start up her engine failed and she started dragging her anchor at which point two tugs were put on alert. They were not required however as engineers managed to flash up the engines at the last moment and she was able to move away from the coastline. Dismissing the incident as "a storm in a teacup", an agentÕs representative told FTW the New Harvest, awaiting entry to port 20 miles off at the weekend, would spend about three days before sailing in ballast for Brazil.