Long-term boarders extend their stay

Ray Smuts THERE IS still no clear-cut resolution in sight to the plight of Argun, the Russian fleet replenishment vessel arrested for debt in September 1999. She has since been the subject of numerous court hearings which have gone as high as the Appellate Division in an attempt by the Sheriff of Cape Town to recoup steadily mounting debts estimated last year at R120 000 a month. Master mariner Godfrey Needham of Offshore Maritime Services believes if she were to be sold "as is, where is", US$90 000 would be an optimistic price estimate. However, getting her in truly seaworthy condition would entail a further outlay of US$1 million or thereabouts. By far the longest staying visitor, almost seven years, is the former Russian anchor handling supply vessel Tigr which was towing a huge barge when it (the barge) broke free and grounded near Sandy Bay in June 1994 resulting in huge, as yet unresolved, litigation of more than R700 million - possibly the largest in South African maritime history. Tigr was sold to Gibraltar interests for US$625 000 a year ago, renamed Cape Point and thoroughly spruced up, but she now also awaits another buyer. Needham says her owners are asking around US$4,5 million but points out that there are currently tugs of the same class - around 8 700BHP - available for US$2 million all over the world. "One fleet alone is selling 19 tugs."