SA-bound ship dead in the water

TERRY HUTSON THE MSC container ship MSC Denisse, which was en route for Durban from the Far East, was left drifting without power in the Indian Ocean late last week, about 40 nautical miles southeast of Christmas Island. The flooding of the engine room – up to cylinder head height according to one report – left the ship noticeably down by the stern. But following the arrival of an Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta, a number of additional pumps have been taken on board to keep further water ingress under control and pump out the ship’s flooded compartments. The 1664-TEU MSC Denisse is carrying a crew of 23 and was due in Durban on March 6.