The Cyprus-registered ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessel San Martin was successfully towed into the Port of East London on Wednesday following an engine failure that left the ship disabled at sea.
The vehicle carrier was brought into port by the salvage tug Umkhuseli ZA, assisted by a pilot boat and supported by the National Sea Rescue Institute's Rescue 15 vessel throughout the operation.
The Daily Dispatch reported that northerly winds had briefly complicated the vessel's approach to the narrow Buffalo River mouth, but the tug and pilot boat kept the San Martin on course. The vessel was guided through the harbour entrance, beyond the Western breakwater and upriver, where it was safely berthed.
According to MarineTraffic.com data, the San Martin had been scheduled to arrive at the Port of Ngqura outside Gqeberha on Thursday. The vessel departed Ningbo, China, prior to the incident. The Cape Town-based Umkhuseli ZA, which left Cape Town on May 31, was reported towing the disabled ship.
The berthing allows for further assessment and repairs to the vessel and removes any potential navigational risk associated with the disabled ship.
Transnet National Ports Authority had not responded to questions at the time of publication.
