1.
GV MANUELA DOCKS (NIGHT SHOT)
0.03

2.
SV PILOT BOARDS PILOT BOAT
0.08

3.
SCU PRESSMAN LOOKS THROUGH BINOCULARS
0.12

4.
GV PILOT BOAT REVERSES OUT OF QUAYSIDE
0.21

5.
CU PHOTOGRAPHER
0.22

6.
GV CREWMEN ARRIVE BY CAR
0.31

7.
LV MANUELA DOCKS
0.40



Initials GEM/V/JB/RM/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE GREEK TANKER MANUELA WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE DURBAN TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION, STILL CARRYING THE 15,000 TONS OF OIL SHE WAS TO HAVE DELIVERED AT BEIRA FOR TRANSHIPMENT TO MR IAN SMITH'S ILLEGAL REGIME IN RHODESIA.

THE MANUELA SAILED TO DURBAN AFTER A BRITISH ROYAL NAVY BOARDING PARTY PREVENTED HER FROM GOING TO BEIRA TO UNLOAD HER OIL FOR RHODESIA. SHE HAS BEEN BERTHED AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN PORT SINCE WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13). AS SHE PREPARED TO SAIL, HER CAPTAIN SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT TO KNOW HIS DESTINATION UNTIL HE RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS ON THE HIGH SEAS.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN AUTHORITIES HAD THROWN A TIGHT SECURITY CURTAIN ROUND THE TANKER DURING HER STAY AT DURBAN. SHE COULD NOW EITHER SAIL SOUTH ROUND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE AND HEAD FOR EUROPE, OR ATTEMPT ONCE MORE TO REACH BEIRA BY SAILING WITHIN SOUTH AFRICAN AND PORTUGUESE TERRITORIAL WATERS IN AN EFFORT TO OVERCOME THE BRITISH NAVAL BLOCKADE.