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Smit
Pentow Marine Press Release Thursday October 4th 2001, 16h00
'Ikan Tanda' Update Number 31
It
has been a day of good progress for Salvors Smit Pentow Marine
(Pty) Ltd with respect to cargo removal operations aboard
the 'Ikan Tanda'.
Salvors
report that the balance of the boronate cargo aboard the 'Ikan
Tanda' has now been safely removed from the grounded vessel.
On the starboard side of the 'Ikan Tanda', conditions allowed
for the connection of the hose string from the mooring buoy
to the casualty. The hose is this afternoon being tested as
there were some concerns that damage incurred during the recent
bad weather could cause unacceptable back pressure during
pumping. This operation forms part of the preparatory work
being undertaken by the shore team for the phase of the operation
involving the pumping off of Potassium Nitrate in a slurry
format 300 metres offshore.
Hold
No 1 is now clear of seawater and the pumps are being reconfigured
for cargo discharge in accordance with the conditions laid
down in the dumping permit awarded by the Department of Environmental
Affairs & Tourism to Smit Pentow Marine. This is in respect
of the Potassium Nitrate, of which approximately 300 tonnes
has been discharged thus far in a slurry format. Holds No
2 and No 4 continue to be pumped of seawater while in Hold
No 5, discharge continues. A miniature bulldozer has been
placed in the hold to assist with the discharge of the last
1000 tonnes of Potassium Chloride. Thus far an approximate
total of 3400 tonnes of cargo has been discharged.
With
regards to the plans to remove the remaining oil in the vessel
(approximately 20 tonnes), specialized hot-tap equipment has
been flown in from The Netherlands and is being tested at
Smit Pentow Marine's premises in Paarden Eiland. It is intended
that as soon as the cargo level in Hold No 4 is down to an
acceptable depth, attempts will be made to remove the trapped
oil. It is estimated that this will take place next week.
Excess lube oil will be removed on Friday if conditions allow.
Scientific
monitoring of the area continues three times a day with sampling
being carried out to ensure that maximum concentration levels
as laid down in the dumping permit are not exceeded. Reports
continue to show that nitrate concentration levels are within
those defined by the dumping permit, but are higher in the
area where the local river runs into the sea.
Salvors
Smit Pentow Marine continue to note their concern for the
structural integrity of the vessel and have noted further
distortion of the steel. To this end, a team of scientists
from the University of Stellenbosch are back on board today
to carry out further inspections. Earlier this week, stress
monitors were fitted to the 'Ikan Tanda' to monitor the dynamic
conditions of the hull. This will mean that Salvors will be
able to monitor the structural integrity of the vessel more
closely on an ongoing basis. It continues to be of vital importance
that adequate cargo be removed from the 'Ikan Tanda' as soon
as is possible to enable Smit Pentow Marine to attempt a refloating
of the vessel. Cargo discharge rates achieved thus far continue
to improve the bending movement forces on the ship.
By
16h30 today, 40 tonnes of boronate remain on board the 'Ikan
Tanda'. It is intended that this remaining tonnage will be
removed later this evening.
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