TABLE MOUNTAIN: SPECTATORS: TUGS TOWING TANKER OFF.




Initials ERW/VS/AS/PF



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE FRENCH OIL TANKER, SIVELLA, WHICH WENT AGROUND ON MOUILLE POINT, HALF A MILE (800 METRES) OFF THE CAPE TOWN SHORE ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WAS TOWED OFF ON SUNDAY AND HEADED OUT TO SEA, LEAVING IN HER WAKE A BROAD SLICK OF OIL. PORT OFFICIALS SAID THE 49,320 TON TANKER WOULD ANCHOR ABOUT 50 MILES (80 KMS.) OFFSHORE, SO THAT EXPERTS COULD DETERMINE HOW BADLY SHE WAS DAMAGED.

THE TANKER WENT AGROUND IN FAIR WEATHER WHILE MEETING A PROVISION BOAT, TAKING OUT SUPPLIES AND MAIL. THE SIVELLA WAS MAKING A BRIEF CALL AT CAPE TOWN, FULLY LOADED, ON HER WAY FROM THE PERSIAN GULF TO BRITAIN.

OFFICIALS SAID TWO OF THE BIG SHIP'S TANKS WERE HOLED AND SHE HAD TAKEN WATER IN HER FORE SECTION. THE GROUNDING ATTRACTED A LARGE CROWD OF SIGHTSEERS, WHILE MEN STOOD BY WITH DETERGENT SUPPLIES TO COPE WITH ANY THREAT TO THE NEARBY FAMED GOLDEN BEACHES OF CAPE TOWN.

THE TANKER RESISTED THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BY THREE TUGS, TO PULL HER CLEAR BUT, AFTER TRANSFERRING PART OF HER CARGO TO AFT TANKS TO LIFT THE BOWS, SHE WAS EASED OFF THE ROCKS. ONE OF THE TUGS THEN ESCORTED THE SIVELLA OUT TO SEA.

NEAR THE POINT WHERE THE SIVELLA GROUNDED, SPECTATORS WERE ABLE TO SEE THE REMAINS OF THE SEAFARER, A SOUTH AFRICAN FREIGHTER, WHICH WENT AGROUND 18 MONTHS AGO AND BECAME A TOTAL LOSS.