Durban - No expense had been spared on the maiden voyage of Durban’s latest attraction: a 200-seater floating restaurant with two decks, two full bars and a dance floor.
But the La Vue catamaran hit a snag– a piece of floating cable was caught in the starboard propeller, causing damage on her maiden voyage from her dedicated mooring at Fisherman’s Wharf, next to Wilson’s Wharf.
La Vue set sail on Friday with about 65 VIPs and guests.
The crew heard a grinding noise when they were near the Sugar Terminal and when they realised there might be some damage, they lowered the anchor and called in the NSRI to be on standby.
NSRI crew aboard the Eikos Rescuer II and Megan II craft helped position La Vue so that the anchor could be retrieved before the Durban-built floating restaurant headed back to her berth, using her own strength.
La Vue’s engineer, Edwin Wagner, said the propeller had been damaged by the cable.
Owners Nick Dranias and Gerard Nobin have taken a decision to replace the propeller, rather than repair it.
Although they could have got the propeller repaired, they opted to get a brand new one “in the interests of safety”.
“I will have to source a new propeller and that might be in Australia or Europe. I will fly out tomorrow (today) and bring it backon Tuesday,” Nobin said.
It will be fitted in time for the official opening to the public on Friday.
The rudders would be inspected for damage today and if necessary, the owners would get new ones made.
Wagner said the offending piece of cable could have come in with the tide or been thrown overboard by another boat.
Although reluctant to divulge costs, they did say the new venue was “extremely expensive”.
They will offer a four-course meal, a two-and-a-half-hour cruise, live entertainment from a jazz band and a DJ on the catamaran.
They will also be open for lunch, but will remain quayside as diners might only get an hour’s break from work.
November and December are mostly booked for corporate year-end events.
“We can’t wait to open our doors and get the show on the road,” Dranias said.
See: www.la-vue.co.za
Daily News