AMSOL ON CALL

The African Marine Solutions (AMSOL) tug ‘Smit Amandla’ plays a vital role in protecting our marine environment, and is contracted to the South African Department of Transport as a standby and emergency towing vessel. Since AMSOL was launched on 1st December 2016 , the tug has been involved in three towage operations, providing support to three different bulk carriers.

December kicked off with the ‘Smit Amandla’ (under Captain Ian Merriman) and the multi-purpose AHTSV ‘Peridot’ (under Captain Russel Duse) providing support to a salvage operation involving the disabled bulk carrier ‘Antaios’ which was safely towed from 800 nautical miles to a position off of Cape Town. On the 26th December the tug was again mobilized to provide assistance, this time to the disabled bulk carrier ‘Agios Nikolas’ which experienced engine difficulties some 500 miles west of Cape Town.

She was safely towed to Table Bay Harbour. Soon thereafter on 9th January, the tug proceeded to provide assistance to the disabled bulk carrier ‘United Stars’ which was drifting in close proximity to Mossel Bay. The tug safely towed the bulk carrier to Durban where the convoy arrived on the 18th January.

But it was not just the ‘Smit Amandla’ on call and providing towage assistance. Out of Durban the ‘Smit Siyanda’ completed a short tow – also of a bulk carrier – over the festive season.

Technically suitable assets, experienced and skilled personnel and a track record of service delivery to international standards ensures that AMSOL is first in mind for simple or complex marine projects.