The 64 meter long tug Manhanuwara collided with the 102 meter long, 4900 dwt bulk freighter Thor Gitta near the grounded vessel Angel 1 off Mauritius. Both vessels have been chartered for the salvage of the Angel 1 which sits on the reefs off Poudres-d’Or, Mauritius. The collision resulted in only slight damage on the Thor Gitta. Reports state the Thor Gitta proceeded back to the Angel 1 where it is transferring 32,000 tons of rice cargo.
The 28,166 dwt bulk freighter Zuni Princess collided with the 30,086 dwt tanker Bow Engineer in the port of Beira, Mozambique. The two vessel sustained some damage. No further details reported.
The 164 meter long bulk freighter Phoenix went aground in heavy seas in Christmas Bay near Durban, South Africa. The Phoenix was under the control of a skelton crew as it was headed to India to be scrapped. As the vessel encountered rough seas, the crew dropped anchor to ride out the bad weather. However, the anchor line broke and the vessel began to drift towards shore. A nearby salvage tug attempted to connect a towline to pull the Phoenix to deeper water, but the weather conditions made it impossible. Waves were 4 to 6 meters and winds reached up to 30 knots. Pushed by the waves, the vessel struck bottom some 200 meters from the shore. The NSRI responded sending out three helicopters who airlifted all 15 crew to safety. A salvage company has already begun operations, but it is likely the vessel will be cut for scrap where it currently rests.
