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"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"
On The Scene At Jacobsbaai, South Africa
Feature Date: July 12 2009
Event Date: June 23 2009
Updated Sept. 18 & Nov. 8 2009
"Big Bunch 'O Black Barges - Beached & Blown"
"Poor Margaret, She's Just Blasted"
The Final Chapter & End Of Barge Margaret - March 8 2010
Go Directly To The Final Update - Or Scroll Through Our Exciting Feature To Learn The Cause of This Tragedy, Below
The Air & Ocean Logistics- Customs Broker Attorneys
International Trade Consultants
"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"
On The Scene --At Jacobsbaai, South Africa
A 2009 - 2010 Countryman & McDaniel
Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender
Go Directly To The Original Feature
Barge Margaret Update For Sept. 18 2009
Barge Margaret Update For Nov. 6 2009
Brarge Margaret Has A Blast On March 5 2010 - The Final Chapter
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"Big Bunch 'O Black Barges - Beached" On The Scene Jacobsbaai, South Africa June 23 2009 |
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M/V Salvaliant - In Better Days Seen Here In Her Former Livery - Now POSH SEMCO PTE LTD. |
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A Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender
The Date: June 23 2009
The Time: 0500 hrs.
The Place: In Gales Off Jacobsbaai , South Africa
Preparing For The Unusual Tow Off Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China
This Unusual Cargo Will Travel The World Before Beginning Its Intended Work
Prolog: The Voyage To South Africa
Ocean Tug M/V Salvaliant & Her Unique Towed Cargo Will Round The Cape of Good Hope For Europe On This Major Voyage
Ocean Tug M/V Salvaliant Crew Prepares For The Long Voyage To Europe With A Special Tow
Tug M/V Salvaliant Begins To Take The Strain -- Every Task Is Taken With Care For The Round-The-World-Voyage
Ocean Tug M/V Salvaliant Begins The Tow of Her The Big Bunch 'O Black Barges From China To Europe This Is A Proud Commercial Moment For The Owners of Barger Margaret
Special Note:
Different Tug Livery in the picture? In March 2008 SEMCO Salvage Changed M/V Salvaliant Designation To Tug POSH SEMCO PTE LTD and changed colors.Editor Note: Meet The Ocean Going Tug M/V Salvaliant
Call Sign: S6DZThe 10,000hp M/V Salvaliant sailed on her maiden voyage to Ulsan during the first week of January 1987.
M/V Salvaliant has a bollard pull of 166 tons, a maximum free running speed of 15 knots and fuel consumption calculated to give an endurance of 40 days while towing at sea.
Two Lips transverse thrusters enhance maneuverability, producing 12 tons of thrust in the bow and 10 tons in the stern. Electrical power is supplied by two 1,200kW shaft generators supplemented by 350kW diesel auxiliaries and a 105kW harbor set.
The all-important towing gear comprises a hydraulically powered, triple drum, waterfall type, towing and anchor-handling winch with a maximum brake holding load of 400 tons on each drum. All three drums carry 1500m of 76mm diameter steel wire rope.
Line handling is facilitated by one set of Triplex towing pins with a SWL of 200 tons, a Triplex 'Sharks Jaw' of 300 tons SWL and two 10 ton electro-hydraulic tugger winches. A 300 ton capacity stern-roller has a diameter of 3m and width of 5.5m.
Fire fighting equipment is installed to meet FiFi 1 standards with two foam/water monitors delivering 1200cu/m/hr, with water supplied by two 1500 cu/m/hr engine driven pumps running at 1800rev/min. A comprehensive range of salvage equipment is carried and dedicated tanks are provided for foam compound and chemical dispersant.
Despite her age, M/V Salvaliant is a very able & proud vessel.
Here Is The Cargo: 12 Inland River Barges Are Bound For Rotterdam Aboard Barge Margaret -- The Cargo Is Eight Stories High
For Thousands of Sea Miles The Voyage Is Uneventful -- But Then .......
Drama Along The Cape of Good Hope Coast As A Series of Cold Fronts Moved Across South Africa
High Seas Reaching 9 Meters & Strong Gale Force Winds.
Tug M/V Salvaliant Rounds The Cape -- But Looses Barge Margaret In The Early Morning Hours of June 23 2009 Off Jacobsbaai.
The Tow Line Parts -- Desperate Efforts of The M/V Salvaliant Crew Save Only The Tug, Not The Barge Margaret & Her Cargo
The Barge Margaret Is Now Adrift -- And Nearing The South African Coast
Barge Margaret At Jacobsbaai -- Oceaan Tug M/V Salvaliant Has Failed Her Mission
Barge Margaret Is Hard Aground At At The Village of Jacobsbaai
This Is Not The New Jacobsbaai Offiice High Rise Office Complex
Big Bunch 'O Black Barges -- Beached -- Barge Margaret Is Stranded
Is M/V Salvaliant Responsible? It Is A Question of Fact.
Editor Note: The Legal Liability of M/V Salvaliant For This Loss?The grounding of Barge Margaret At Jacobsbaai will cost a huge amount of money. Who will pay?The general international rule is that air, ocean & road transporters of cargo are "Common Carriers."
The term "Common Carrier" is defined as the one who runs the business of trade of carrying goods and is usually employed by shippers. Common Carriers for reward are absolutely responsible for the goods they carry -- -- with few allowable defenses such as "act of God" (Perils of The Sea) -- but allowed to limit liability in accord with national or international law.
Towage contracts are viewed differently.
No English or Commonwealth decision has held a tug owner liable as a Common Carrier in respect of the vessel towed. Ordinary principles of contract law are applied to towage contracts. The towage contracts are not contracts in which one party is under a fundamental duty to disclose all material facts within the parties' knowledge and surrounding circumstances. In other words, liablity for twage is determined by ordinary matters of fact and contract considerations.
Duties of the towing vessel are generally as follows:
1. PreparationThe tug has a duty to ensure that those matters appertaining to the safety and success of the towage per se are properly carried out. This would include making up the tow properly, inspecting lashings, inspecting the tow-line, ensuring that the tow-line is an appropriate length for the towage to be undertaken and ensuring the tow is displaying the proper lights. The tow should be displayed in proper lights.
2. Proper Seamanship
The crew of the tug must show competent skill. This includes keeping a proper look-out (from the tow as well as the tug, if the scope of the towing hawser or the size of the tow warrants it) and being prepared at a proper speed for the conditions and must take care to avoid shearing on the part of the tow.
3. Tug's Duty Where Towage Interrupted
There are many different kinds of incidents which interrupt towage, for example, the tow-line may part; the tug may be obliged to let go of the tow in order to avoid a collision; the tow may need repairs. In every situation where the towage is interrupted, the guiding principle is that it is the tug's duty to return to the tow and resume towage. This principle often takes the form of an express contractual term. It is one facet of the tug's duty to use best endeavours to perform the towage.
4. Failure To Take Towage Assistance
Sometimes, a vessel may be found negligent not to have engaged a tug where the circumstances warranted it. For example, where the operation of towage can not be performed safely without assistance and the vessel is blown on to a pier before a tug is finally engaged -- the delay in taking towage assistance is held to have been negligent.
5. Performance of Tow's Part of Towage
The tow's duties are generally perceived to be of a passive nature, but this perception is misleading. The tow is often the vessel in control and, in any event, always has a positive duty not to increase the tug's difficulties by any act or omission on its part.
Admiralty Courts retain a general equitable jurisdiction to declare invalid and to refuse to enforce certain towage agreements if it is considered to be seriously inequitable to one party or the other. This jurisdiction has been applied to some cases where there has been a lack of disclosure.
The events of June 23 2009 strongly imply that historic storms offf the Cape of Good Hope will absolve the crew of M/V Salvaliant from liablity. Still, the potential loss is great. Thus, the claim will likely be made against M/V Salvaliant & her owners.
So as in most all modern matters of high cost -- maritime lawyers will spend the next several years deciding the damage responsiblity of M/V Salvaliant for this loss. This will cost the cargo owners an immense sum -- win or loose -- unless the shippers had arranged quality marine cargo insurance. If the shippers were insured, they will receive quick payment for the damage. Then the insurers will mount the fight to recover the loss from the opertors of M/V Salvaliant, or not.
The Lesson Is Simple: IF YOU SHIP CARGO INTERNATIONALLY -- ARRANGE QUALITY MARINE CARGO INSURANCE! It is very dangerous -- out there.
McD
Earlier In June 2009, M/V Salvaliant Put Into Durban Harbor For Repairs & Supplies.
The Unmanned Barge Margaret Was Remained At Jacobsbaai (Jacobs Bay) , North of Saldanha Bay, South Africa. Barge Margaret Is Hard Aground. Many Efforts of The Salvage Tugs Have Failed To Move This Vessel
Good Morning Jacobsbaai!
The Fate of Barge Margaret Remains Unknown - Much To The Dismay of Homeowners!
Barge Margaret Is Hard Aground -- All Efforts Failing To Pull Her Off
Other Vessels Faired Less Well In The Cape of Good Hope Same Storms On June 23 2009
In A Second June 23 Incident on South Africa's South-East Coast Another barge, GTO XVIV Ran Aground At Three Sisters Rocks, West of The Knysna Heads.
The Singapore Registered Tug M/V Hako 18 Was On Passage With Containers From Maputo -- The Capital & Largest City of Mozambique to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Towing Barges GTO XXIX & GTO XXIV.
Heavy Weather Was Encountered -- At Approximately 02h30 on 24 June, The Tow Line To Barge GTO XXIV Parted.
Barge GTO XXIV Subsequently Grounded Near Three Sisters Rocks, West of The Knysna Heads In The Vicinity of Brenton. Barge GTO XXIV Has Broken Her Back Against The Three Sisters.
Barge GTO XXIV & Her Containers Have Been Taken By The Three Sisters.
Game Over - For Whatever Needs There Were For This Cargo In Nigeria.
Did The Shippers (Cargo Owners) Have Quality Marine Cargo Insurance? If Not, ;-(
Editors Note -- June 23 Was One Hell of A NightThe salvors Smit Amandla Marine tug M/V Pentow Skua had been mobilized from Mossel Bay, South Africa to assist M/V Hako 18 some eight hours earlier. But despite the best efforts of the Master of M/V Pentow Skua to connect to the drifting barge, this was not possible due to the adverse weather conditions. The owners of Barge GTO XXIV have been instructed, in terms of the South African Wreck and Salvage Act, to remove the wreck.Indeed, June 24 was a fateful night for many vessels along the Cape of Good Hope. The capesize bulker M/V Kiran, which lost her engine power shortly after sailing from Saldanha Bay with a full load of iron ore was in danger of going aground near Slangkop on the Cape Peninsular. The ship was rescued by the timely arrival of the salvage tug M/V SMIT Amandola which took her in tow to a safe position away from the coast.
Another bulker, the M/V Doce River (79,184-gt, built 1986) also had a narrow escape when she dragged her anchors in Table Bay. Shortly before going onto the beach her crew managed to get the engines running and the ship slowly made her way back into Table Bay, where she was joined by the tug M/V Indomitable which had sailed from Cape Town harbor to assist.
According to news reports a third ship, M/V Viking Eagle (18,327-gt, built 2006) was also in difficulty off the Cape Town coast in the wild seas battering the Cape coast. After a horrific passage, the ship made her way to safety.
It is thus a wonder that our Big Bunch 'O Black Barges survived, without power, stranded on the beach.
The much larger & more important story concerns an untold tale of those men & women who do this dangerous work -- every day -- around the world.
Michael McDaniel
M/V Salvaliant In Her Former Livery - Doing The Quite Amazing Job She Does Every Day! M/V Salvaliant Moves Disabled Vessels, Barges, Giant Machines Which Float & Even Giant "Things" Never Intended To Float.
The Salvage Fees For Their Work Are In Part Paid By Cargo Owners -- Except Those With Quality Marine Cargo Insurance.
Sept. 18 2009
Big Bunch 'O Black Barges -- Beached & Now Abandoned By Her Owners. Money Is Gone
Barge Margaret Sits At Jacobsbaai Without Owners, Donors or Hope
Big Rusted/Black Bunch of Eyesore For Homeowners At Jacobsbaai!
Big Bunch 'O Black Barges Is Becoming A Big Bunch 'O Rusted Barges
The Once Proud Voyage From China To Europe - Now Sits Forlorn & Failed. What Did This Cost?
Approaching Four Months After The Loss -- The Issue of Barge Margaret Remains In Dout - As The Atlantic Continues Her Work
Reader Update - Sept. 18 2009
"The Barge Margaret remains hard aground and abandoned at Jacobsbaai, South Africa. The salvors have left (hoping for calmer seas) hopefully to return some day to remove this eyesore from our shoreline and daily view.Here are some of my more recent photos showing the damage the Atlantic is dishing out to her.
I fear it is only a matter of time till she topples and creates a bigger problem."
RegardsRob Parkinson -- The Tourist's Friend, P.O.Box 501, Vredenburg, South Africa 7380
Barge Margaret UpdateNov. 6 2009
There Are No Patrons For Grounded Barge Margaret.
Once Proud With A Multi-Million Dollar Cargo, She Is Forlorn & Lost
Reader Update - Nov. 6 2009Well, we are at the end of another year and the barge "Margaret" is still with us.Mr. Martin Slabber of SAMSA was contacted for any updates & the following information as of 3 Nov. was supplied:
No changes in Margaret barge or cargo. Two personnel still on site&emdash;a salvage officer and diver/rigger.
There is algae, color green & brown in all areas of the barge where there is constant flow of water or water spray. Personnel were warned that the forward area of barge no. 10 should not be visited at all as it is extremely slippery.
Other than monitoring & reporting, no active work is to be executed other than preparational planning for the follow-up phase.
Barges damaged beyond repair are Barge No. 10 positioned bottom starboard side; Barge No. 11 positioned bottom centre & Barge No. 7 positioned on 2nd row on starboard side above Barge No. 10.
It had been noted that welds of seafastenings are parting at locations which, at some stage, will require a fundamental decision from principals as to whether to correct or not.
Rob Parkinson -- The Tourist's Friend, P.O.Box 501, Vredenburg, South Africa 7380Visit - The South Africa Tourist's FriendEditor Note
After seven months of this wreck in my front yard, perhaps I would think it time to request trask pick-up.Michael McDaniel
Barge Margaret Update -- The Final Chapter "Poor Margaret, She's Just Blasted"
March 8 2010
Barge Margaret Is Deteriorating After More Than A Half A Year On The South African Coast
Editor Note:
The long voyage to Europe began with great fanfare & promise in July 2009 At Shanghai. Now the grounded of Barge Margaret was some seven months ago as of early February 2010.
The cargo of new inland barges for European river service has begun to deteriorate -- and all attempts to free the vessel have failed.
Meanwhile, Barge Margaret looms over the peaceful village of Jacobsbaai -- a daily eyesore, pollution source and menace.
Good Morning Village of Jacobsbaai -- A Daily Eyesore, Pollution Source & Menace For Over 7 Months In Late Jan. & Early Feb. 2010 Plans Go Forward To End Barge Margaret
Baai The Way Special Edition Jan. 2010 - local town newsletter of Jacobsbaai
"Interested parties such as the Jacobsbaai Ratepayers Association and the Home Owners Associations of Weskusplek & Gonnemanskraal were invited to an update meeting with regard to the salvage of Margaret.Latest information on the removal of the Barge MARGARET. SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) has taken charge of having the wreck removed as the owner no longer has the resources to carry on in an attempt to recoup his losses. Smit Amandla Marine (Pty) Limited were contracted by SAMSA and presented the following information: Their strategy is to topple the wreck in a controlled manner by using small shaped charges to cut the lashing points of the barges (which are all welded together), ensure that all the individual barges' holes are plugged and then pump water into the top barge to move the centre of gravity in order to help topple them. Boats will be standing by to catch them and tow them to Saldanha Bay.
They informed the meeting that a big area of concern is that if nature takes its course and the wreck topples, it will be a lot more difficult to do anything about it plus any floating debris will be dangerous to shipping. Smit Amandla are using a Climate Review company, OSIS, who provide local weather and impact studies. This shows that there are approximately 6 days per month which will allow them to work on the barge, the best month being February.
Any barge not able to be towed away will be sunk much further out in deep water and become a "natural reef" for sea life. There is nothing toxic on it (like the paint) so it is considered to be environmentally friendly.
Smit Amandla commence operations on Monday 1st February. At last, we can breathe a sign of relief (unless rough seas decide to claim it for itself)!"
Removal of Barge Margaret Would Not Be Without The Highest Price
Smit Amandla Commenced Clearing Operations On Monday 1st February -- There Would Be A Death
Contributor Comment - Feb. 24 2010
"This morning at 11h00, I was attending a get-together with our club members at the restaurant at Jacobsbaai.There was an unusual amount of vehicles in the parking area, including police, ambulance and forensic.
It was established that a member of the salvage crew on board the Barge Margaret, fell from a height and was killed.
You are possibly already aware, but I thought I would let you know, on my return home."
RegardsJohn Fevrier - Darling, West Coast, South AfricaTime now &endash; 18h00
From The Cargo Letter -- Feb. 26 2010
Charles Mitchell, 55, a member of the salvage team that is demolishing the wreck of the barge carrier, Barge Margaret, in Jacobs Bay in the Cape of Good Hope, was killed on Feb. 24 2010 during the operation.The South African Mari-time Safety Authority (Samsa) said all salvage work on the barge carrier had been suspended until further notice. Samsa is investigating the accident.
Clare Gomes, spokeswoman for the salvors, Smit Amandla Marine, said Mitchell was from Durban and was working as a contractor on the demolition.
Charles Mitchell was the Blasting Manager for Blasting and Demolition Services and had just started work with a team of demolition experts when he fell from a 3m-high ladder.
Smit Amandla Commenced Clearing Operations On Monday 1st February
D-Day Would Be March 5 2010
Here Is March 5 2010
Rob Parkinson Capture March 5 2010 With A Blast From Hell At The Peaceful Village of Jacobsbaai
Contributor Comment:
Well a VERY exciting morning in our little sleepy village ofJacobsbaai.The Barge Margaret was blasted this morning to seperate some of the cargo barges and clear the shoreline. After a delay due to some non co-operative people who insisted on being on the beach at the wrong place.
At approx 09.35 the final go ahead was given and BOOM up she went.6 of the 12 cargo barges and 1 "floating' deck which sank later were freed and taken in tow by the various Tugs and other vessels on standby.
Rob Parkinson - The Tourist's Friend, P.O.Box 501 Vredenburg 7380, South Africa
The Photos of Glenn Kasner Capture This Dramatic Event "Close Aboard"
Controlled Explosions Captured By Glenn Kasner Bring An End To Barge Margaret
Blast & Debris Rocket Off Barge Margaret As Captured By Glenn Kasner
More Than 200 Feet of Plume Grabs The Sky In This Glenn Kasner Photo
The Jacobsbaai Village Is Shaken To Its Foundations In The Rob Parkinson Photo
Glenn Kasner Shows Us Birds In Flight From The Inferno & Mist Off THe Death of Barge Magaret
In A Mystical Glenn Kasner Photo of Shades & Shock Waves -- Barge Margaret is Vaporized From The Cargo Letter - March 5 2010
With an explosion that rocked Jacobsbaai, the massive barge carrier Barge Margaret, which was a new vessel when she ran aground off the Cape West Coast, in June 2009, was reduced to a smouldering wreck almost half her original size.According to the salvors, the explosion tipped into the sea the top 6 river barges the Barge Margaret was carrying as cargo. The barges were partially salvaged.
"She looks totally different now," said the head of salvors Smit Amandla Marine, Dave Main. He said the explosion had dropped the vessel from a height of 50m to 30m and had allowed the barges to slide off and got the dry dock walls off. He said though some barges would be damaged at least two would be "okay".
The Barge Margaret, which was built in China, was being towed from the shipyard to the Netherlands when the tow rope broke in a storm near Saldanha Bay on June 24 2009.
The eight-storey-high barge was carrying 12 river barges and two floating drydocks, and was estimated to be worth about US$40M.
Its Dutch owner spent US$21M trying to salvage the barge before he ran out of money.
Durban blasting expert Charles Mitchell died last week after falling off a ladder while helping prepare the barge for the blast.
Mitchell, of Kloof, was the blasting contracts manager for the Durban-based Blasting & Demolition Services, and had just started work with a team of demolition experts when he fell from a 3m-high ladder. He had been wearing safety equipment, including a helmet.
Rob Parkinson Photo Shows Aftermath of 0935 Hrs Blast
6 of 12 Inland Barges & Mother Barge Margaret Are Sunk In The Rob Parkinson Photo
Contributor Comment -
SMIT Salvage successfully toppled the stack of barges at Jacobsbaai on March 5 morning by means of a controlled explosion. Six barges were towed away and the remaining four will probably be pulled off at a later stage.Glenn KasnerSmit Amandla Marine (Pty) Limited Salvage Tug Tows The Survivors To A Next Life As Artificial Reef
Some 7 Months Ago Another Tug -- The SEMCO Salvage 10,000hp M/V Salvaliant Sailed Proudly On Her Fateful Voyage
M/V Salvaliant Sailed For Europe With Her Valuable 8 Story Cargo of Inland Barge To Serve The Rivers of Europe
Seen Here In Her Proud Moment Off Shanghai -- The Voyage of Barge Margaret Has Come To A Sad End
Many Millions of Dollars Were Invested In This Project To Send New Inland Bages From China To The Netherlands
Both The Dream & The Investment Are Now Gone Because "Ship Happens! ©"
These Inland Barges Will Never Ply European Rivers & Barge Margaret Is No More
It Is Dangerous Out There. This Could Very Well Have Been Your Cargo. "Ship Happens! ©"
Editor Note:
There remains some question as to final disposition of the inland barge cargo which survived the March 5 explosion . Will they be reclaimed for future use or added to an artificial reef? The outcome will work to change some of our data set forth above.McD
Shippers Must Have Quality Marine Cargo Insurance ........ Because......... "Ship Happens! ©"
To Repeat -- No Matter How Careful You Are -- Or Who You Hire ....... "Ship Happens! ©"
Get Your "Ship Happens! ©" Gear!
Visit The Cargo Law Ship's Store For Great Industry Gift Ideas!
The Dedication of This Feature Is Simple: To Mr. Charles Mitchell And To The Crews of M/V Salvaliant, M/V Pentow Skua --
-- And To The Thousands of Tow & Salvage Tugs Whose Crews Risk Their Lives Every Day -- While We Sleep --
-- They Work To Protect These Ships & Our Cargo In Some of The Most Dangerous Conditions Which Have Either Been Encountered Or Imagined.
SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by air & sae continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker.
It's very dangerous out there.
INDEX
TO OUR "Big Bunch 'O Black
Barges - Beached & Blown" PAGE
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Important Links To Our Feature:Smit Amandla MarineSouth African Wreck and Salvage Acit of 1996Tug M/V Salvaliant
Tug M/V Salvaliant - detailsTug M/V Salvaliant --Saving Capt. Glenn - former adventure
Our Other Features -- Off The Cape of Good Hope
"Wrong Way Agulhas?" - M/V Safmarine Agulhas - Jan. 2007"Sea (to) Land Express" - May 2004
M/V Modern Drive - Incredible Story! Incredible Photos! June 2001
M/V Tracer - the hero ship we missed
Our Daily Vessel Casualties - stay informed
"Singles Only" - visit our individual moments of transport crisis for more.
The Greatest Container Losses Of All Time - these are the grand fathers -
M/V OOCL AmericaM/V APL Panama - The EPIC
"Great Misfortune"- M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006
SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker.It's very dangerous out there.
Thanks To Our Contributors For The "Big Bunch 'O Black Barges - Beached & Blown" Feature
Our Contributor for this feature are greatly appreciated:John Fevrier - Darling, West Coast, South AfricaJohn Szalay
Riaan
Rob Parkinson --The Tourist's Friend, P.O.Box 501, Vredenburg 7380
Pictures
Colin CleggAndrew Avele
Riaan Jacobs - Jacobsbay: South Africa
Glenn Kasner
Rob Parkinson -- The Tourist's Friend, P.O.Box 501, Vredenburg 7380
NOTE: Please Provide Us With Your Additional Information For This Loss.
EDITOR'S NOTE FOR SURVEYORS, ATTORNEYS & MARINE ADJUSTERS: The Internet edition effort of The Cargo Letter now celebrates it's 8th Year of Service -- making us quite senior in this segment of the industry. We once estimated container underway losses at about 1,500 per year. Lloyd's put that figure at about 10,000 earlier this year. Quite obviously, the reporting mechanism for these massive losses is not supported by the lines. News of these events is not posted to the maritime community. Our new project is to call upon you -- those handling the claims -- to let us know of each container loss at sea-- in confidentiality. Many of you survey on behalf of cargo interests with no need for confidentiality. Others work for the lines & need to be protected. As a respected Int'l publication, The Cargo Letter enjoys full press privileges & cannot be forced to disclose our sources of information. No successful attempt has ever been made. If a personal notation for your report is desired -- each contributor will be given a "hot link" to your company Website in each & every report. Please take moment & report your "overside" containers to us. If you do not wish attribution, your entry will be "anonymous." This will will benefit our industry -- for obvious reasons! McD
* NOTE: The Cargo Letter wants you to know that by keeping the identity of our contributors 100% Confidential, you are able to view our continuing series of "Cargo Disasters." Our friends send us materials which benefit the industry. The materials are provided to our news publication with complete and enforceable confidentiality for the sender. In turn, we provide these materials to you.
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