From Durban bound for Santos in psn 31.33S 10.07E. No. 2 hold flooding and causing the list more than 20 degrees. Tug SUHAILI arrived to salvage the vessel.

Courtesy: capt. Kees de Ru, master of the SUHAILI

"She had the misfortune to be in the wrong area. South Africa and Namibia are afraid for problem vessels, so I was not permitted to tow her into False Bay, Table Bay or Walvisbaai. Had to stay 200 nm out of any S.A. coast. Because of the severe listing, I could not tie up alongside, without damaging my own vessel. Breaker-/repair yards were too far away for economic towage. (Turkey or India) Owners were not interested also, as the overall condition of hull and engineroom was not so bright. All bilge lines in the holds were completely blocked by rice and such.

It appeared to be quite difficult to scuttle her even with the engineroom flooded after opening the CW inlets. We had to cut an additional hole in the main deck just in front of the accommodation, after that it took another odd 12 hours to get her down, stern first. On the end the tied-down MacGregor hatch covers of hold #1 were blown off with explosive force.

She was a proud vessel, fighting to the end and it was a tragic affair to all of us."

See photos of  BISMIHITALA