Macuti

The "Macuti" recently has arrived in Durban under tow for permanent repairs. The dredger, which is owned by Mozambique’s state-owned dredging company Emodraga, was involved in a collision with Mediterranean Shipping Company’s container ship "MC Chiara" in June 2016, which hqad left a six-metre gash in the dredging vessel’s engine room, which rapidly flooded and to save his ship from sinking in the entrance channel, the "Macuti"’s master deliberately ran the ship onto a sandbank.

The "Macuti" has finally been refloated after the collision in dense fog with the "MSC Chiara" on June 28 and the subsequent beaching of the dredger. After numerous attempts the "Macuti" surfaced again on Sep 4 after the stability problems were resolved by fitting big inflatable floating devices. Once floating again, the dredger was towed to Beira Drydock by the tug "SL Rima", where final inspections will take place, before being towed to South Africa for repairs.

The tug "SL Rima" was being involved in salvage operations at the "Macuti". She also had towed the dredger outside the channel after the collision with the "MSC Chiara", while she was at anchor within one mile of the collision position. This week rumors were heard that the "Macuti" was ready to be refloated. Since the ship was grounded, it was obvious that she was settling in the mud deeper and deeper every week. The flood water line was already touching the deck under the wheelhouse.