Safety worries had now-stranded bulker moved from off East London

The owners of a vessel, removed earlier this month due to safety and environmental reasons from the coast off East London, are not responding to communications from the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) after going aground at Salt Rock north of Durban on Monday. The MT Phoenix was removed after Samsa on July 22 obtained a court order for the detention, seizure and sale of the vessel after the owners stopped responding to directives to remove it from South African waters. The vessel, that was being towed by a Smit Amandla tug, started dragging her anchor on Monday night due to deteriorating weather conditions and despite valiant attempts by the crew of the tug to reconnect the tow, it grounded. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the 15 Indian crew members were airlifted off the vessel by a South African Air Force helicopter, and landed ashore in Durban. At the time of going to press the NSRI said the hull was still secure and there appeared to be no oil leaking into the water. The vessel has approximately 400 cubic metres of marine gas oil (diesel) on board.