South Africa: Carrier breaking apart in heavy seas

The bulk carrier Kiperousa that ran aground near East London on June 7 with a cargo of tropical hardwood logs has begun to break up in heavy seas.

Some of the huge logs that remained aboard the ship were washed overboard, but they have been washed ashore, said Captain Peter Kroon of the SA Maritime Safety Authority at East London.

The ship had been swung about on the reef on which she was stuck and the hull had begun to crack, said Nick Sloane of salvage company Weismuller.

Sloane confirmed that the 23 logs washed overboard and on to a beach up the coast, had all been accounted for.

A large number of logs have already been removed in a lengthy salvage operation.

Source: www.iol.co.za