Yuan-Hua-Hu Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The tanker 'Yuan Hua Hu' faced operational issues while navigating from Ju'aymah, experiencing difficulties at coordinates 33°05'22"S, 29°30'28"E, situated northeast of Port Elizabeth on May 25, 2020. Subsequently, the vessel was towed to St Johns and successfully reached its destination on May 27. Continuing its journey towards recovery, the 'Yuan Hua Hu' docked at the New Pier Container Terminal in Durban on June 2 for essential repairs, where it has remained stationed as of July 31.

On May 31, 2023, the robust tug 'Pacific Dolphin' embarked on a mission to assist the supertanker 'Yuan Hua Hu'. Successfully navigating away from the treacherous rocky coastline, the 'Pacific Dolphin' safely towed the vessel out to open waters. Joining the operation was the tug 'Smit Siyanda', forming a convoy now en route to the bustling port of Durban. The arrival of this maritime operation is anticipated by June 3. For further insights, watch the report with video: https://maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=43671.

As the oil tanker 'Yuan Hua Hu' encountered difficulties off the coast of Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, South Africa, emergency response teams were put on high alert to manage potential hazards. On May 28, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) confirmed that there was no immediate danger to the crew, the vessel, or the surrounding marine environment. The situation was stabilized when the salvage tug 'SMIT Syanda', which had departed from Durban, secured the tanker with a static tow. To prevent any risk of drifting toward the shore, the bow anchor was lowered to the seabed, while the stern remained tethered to the African Marine Solutions (Amsol) salvage vessel. Although the 'SMIT Syanda' is currently managing the situation with a bollard pull of 90 tonnes, preparations for a stronger backup have also been made. The 'Pacific Dolphin', a heavy-duty tug with a capacity of 220 tonnes, was dispatched from Cape Town and is expected to reach the scene by early May 30. At present, the 'Yuan Hua Hu', along with its crew of 27, is floating in 35 meters of water, carrying approximately 4,000 tonnes of bunker fuel. In the unlikely event that the vessel breaks free before the 'Pacific Dolphin' arrives, the salvage crew is prepared to flood the ship's ballast tanks with water. This emergency measure would help facilitate a later recovery, allowing the tanker to be lifted off any potential obstructions more easily. In addition, an oil spill response company is on standby in Port Elizabeth, while a helicopter team from Cape Town can reach the incident location within six hours. Crews from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Durban, Port Edward, Shelly Beach, East London, and Port St Johns remain on alert, alongside the Transnet National Ports Authority helicopter. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment has activated their tier 1 oil pollution response team, ready to deploy with a Smit International salvage team from Cape Town. The damage sustained by the vessel's engine shaft seals necessitates towing it to Durban for repairs, as on-site fixes are not feasible.