Mts-Vanguard Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On April 3, 2019, the maritime operations team at Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) acted swiftly to assist the vessel 'MTS Vanguard,' which encountered a significant issue while towing a load of pipes along the South African coastline. The tug was transporting eight 500-meter long pipes, each weighing an impressive 360 tons, from Carolina to Kuwait when one of them broke free amid challenging weather conditions. Facing this critical situation, Marine Technical Services (MTS) alerted TNPA Port Control and requested an emergency rendezvous at the Port of Richards Bay. The 'MTS Vanguard' arrived at the port limits on April 7, 2019, where a TNPA marine pilot, aided by the tugs 'Iphotwe' and 'Ukhozi,' ensured the safe docking of the vessel in the busy harbor. To address the issue of the missing pipe, the Subtech Group was enlisted by MTS to conduct recovery operations approximately 500 miles east of Richards Bay. On April 9, the tug 'Indongeni' successfully brought the wayward pipe alongside the Repair Berth at the Small Craft Harbour, supported by the two TNPA tugs and three qualified pilots. This recovery mission took around six hours to complete, with all pipes secured properly at the Repair Berth to ensure safety. In a safety inspection performed by Subtech Group, it was determined that the entire towing bridle, originally sourced from Holland, required complete replacement before the 'MTS Vanguard' could resume its journey. The crew aboard the tug had already been at sea for three months, with an additional estimated sailing time of seven to eight weeks remaining to reach their destination. It is anticipated that the tug will continue its voyage within ten days of the operation's conclusion. For further details and visuals, visit the original report: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/tnpa-provides-emergency-assistance-to-pipe-towing-tug-2019-04-11