Terry Hutson
DURBAN'S PORT authorities have reacted sharply to criticism from Cape Town, where questions have been raised over why the crippled tanker Ritas, which arrived in Table Bay Harbour with leaking tanks and a lot of other equipment not working, was allowed to sail from Durban a few days earlier.
South African Maritime Safety Authority's Brian Yeo said it was very difficult to examine each and every ship that called in Durban, particularly those that came for bunkers because they stayed only for a few hours.
Durban has a large number of ships calling every day and SAMSA has only limited manpower available. We target ships that stay in port longer, especially those that call here regularly on the liner services, but it is not possible to check every ship. Those that go to Island View for bunkers are the most difficult to check as they usually sail within 10 hours or so. Provided there's no complaint from the Portnet pilot or the agent, they are allowed to go on their way.
Durban port captain Derrick Cooke conceded that the Ritas had called in Durban several days before arriving in Cape Town.
She came here for bunkers, arriving at about midnight. Our pilot went on board by helicopter and from that vantage and at that time of night it is impossible to draw conclusions on the condition of any ship.
Ritas sailed the next morning and our pilot on that occasion found that although the ship looked very rusty her navigational and engine systems were working satisfactorily.
He noted a few leaking steam glands to do with the windlass and also several drums of paint on the deck. The master told him he intended anchoring outside port to repair the steam leaks and would proceed to Cape Town for further repairs.
There was no sign of any cracks on the ship or of leaking fuel. Had there been we wouldn't have allowed her to go. It's quite possible these developed along the way between Durban and Cape Town.
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