Drama on the high seas unfolds off Cape Town

Ray Smuts
TWO INDIAN seamen were lost at sea, presumed dead, while being evacuated in large swells from their heavily-listing ship off Cape Town last week.
The drama unfolded on Wednesday when the 15 300 ton Indian-owned Bismihita, with a crew of 30, developed a 22-degree list to port.
While a chartered tug Suhaili steamed from Cape Town to the vessel's position 480 nautical miles west/northwest of the Mother City, the crew were picked up by a passing cargo vessel Mineral York which was due in Cape Town on or about September 4. Mineral York is en route to the Far East from South America.
Salvage expert Godfrey Needham told FTW that swells of between six and eight metres were prevalent as the crew abandoned their ship and that three men - one of whom was later rescued - fell into the water while climbing down a ladder.
"There is a very real chance of Bismihita sinking as evidenced by the crew being evacuated and the reason for the list can only be determined by divers - assuming she stays afloat."
Built in 1976, Bismihita's last call was Durban where she collected bunkers and stores. She was in ballast, bound for South America to pick up cargo.
In another incident last week, Needham, acting on behalf of a salvor, dispatched several aircraft to keep an eye on the 6 000-ton Greek-owned Buff Bay which experienced flooding in her number one hold about 250 miles south of Mauritius, resulting in the crew abandoning ship.