AN ANNOUNCEMENT regarding the transfer of several South African harbour masters to other ports and at least one new appointment was due as this issue went to press. Motivating the transfers is the need to lighten Captain Mike Brophy’s load – he is currently harbour master at the port of Durban and is also the NPA’s chief harbour master, a position he retains. According to our sources Rufus Lekala, currently harbour master of Cape Town, is to transfer to Durban to take over as harbour master of the port. His replacement in Cape Town will be Captain Ravi Naicker, the current harbour master at the port of Richards Bay. Naicker’s replacement as harbour master at Richards Bay has not been mentioned but the importance of the port suggests that a senior man with experience is likely to be appointed. Durban currently has two deputy harbour masters, Captains Sanks Plaatje and Sanjay Sen. As far as is known they will continue in those positions.
