Durban - The Durban-built, Transnet tug, Mvezo has been for a check-up after spending many hours on the water after she rolled off the production line and was sent to Port Elizabeth five years ago.
The tug, which was part of an R1.4 billion large-scale fleet replacement project for Transnet that was undertaken by South African Shipyards - now called Sandock Austral Shipyards (SAS) - underwent a five-yearly survey.
The Mvezo was built in 2016 and is named after the birthplace of Nelson Mandela.
Gregory Nel, the Sandock Austral Project Manager assigned to the Mvezo five yearly survey said the vessel was repaired at the East London Dry Dock and a team from SAS had taken it under their loving care.
The tug is one of several being repaired by the Durban based company and include, Blue Shadow – super yacht, Akademik Aleksandr Karpinskiy, the Polar Research Vessel, RB1 TNPA Port Tug, Isandlwana – TNPA Dredger and LSS Success a commercial cattle carrier
The team looking after the Mvezo consisted of a specialised corrosion protection team.
Among the work carried out was the high-pressure washing of the external surfaces which included the superstructure, funnels, external accommodation, decks and hull.
Thereafter surface preparation for the paint applications was carried out, explained Nel.
The SAS mechanical fitters and assistants then removed sea gratings, snodes, sea strainers, LT and HT coolers and sea salves.
“After the cleaning and testing of the equipment was refitted and secured. The mechanical team also assisted the Voith Technicians with the Voith Unit Health Checks,” he said.
This project which started on February 8 has since been completed and the Mvezo Tug sailed on Friday.
Daily News