The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported that the Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation VLCC Yuan Hua Hu experienced an unspecified engine problem while sailing in the Indian Ocean off South Africa, prompting an emergency response by multiple South African agencies.
Accordingly, the Authority added that there is a possibility that the vessel may have run aground after experiencing an engine problem.
Additional to the anchorage, the tug Siyanda had also secured a tow line to the stern to maintain a static tow while awaiting the arrival of additional assistance.
Although the vessel remains anchhored in the area called the “Wild Coast,” known for its unpredictable and harsh conditions, weather in the area at this time was reportedly not creating an additional threat to the vessel.
Referring to the incident, SAMSA noted that
The tanker is safely anchored one nautical mile off Dome Bluff on the outskirts of Port St Johns and being monitored by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC). The tanker is not carrying any cargo. All 27 crew on-board the casualty vessel are reported to be safe and no injuries have been reported.
In addition, the tug Pacific Dolphin was deployed to assist, as a larger and more powerful tug. When it arrives at the area, it will begin to tow the tanker to Durban where repairs reportedly will begin on the main engine and stern tube.
When the incident took place, the vessel was sailing from Singapore to Angola on the west coast of Africa. Multiple South African agencies were involved in the rescue effort, including a Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) helicopter that had been placed on standby overnight, should a need arise, and an oil pollution response team.
SAMSA concluded that
SAMSA remains in direct communication with the vessel’s owner representatives and the master, who is providing their full cooperation to contain the threat to the South African coastline.