THE Port of Richards Bay on Saturday narrowly avoided a repeat of the incident that saw the coal carrier MV Smart run aground off Alkantstrand on 19 August last year.
It was a case of déjà vu as the fully-laden vessel MV Sammy lost all engine power and steering while exiting the harbour shortly after 8am.
On a collision course with the remains of the MV Smart wreck, it was a race against time as two TNPA tugs sped to assist and the port returned the marine pilot to the bridge of the helpless ship.
This time nature was on the side of the rescue attempt, with a flat sea and mild offshore wind – the total opposite of the conditions that saw the MV Smart meet its fate.
It also helped that no salvage work was taking place, with dredges and barges having been withdrawn for the winter, leaving an open expanse of water.
As repeated unsuccessful attempts were made to restart the MV Sammy’s engines, the tugs slowly and steadily won the day and took her safely to the outer anchorage and out of the shipping lanes.
