The SAAF Forum

Also departed today was the "Good Hope" formerly "Panos Earth" after months and months...and suddenly no more salvor tugs either.

Out in the bay today just opposite the car park and view site was one of the Minehunters. I've just gotta love that crane in action on the back....it makes a great fishing rod

As long as the "fish" on the other end isn't filled with half a ton of TNT!

Why would it be?

What is the "gate" at the stern of the vessel for? I assume that the vessel has the ability to "lay" mines as well?

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

Called a diving platform and is rasied and lowered during operations/training to recover divers onboard. Divers swim to the stern with their scuba gear (and other equipment), lug it onto the platform and then pass the gear up to a sailor on the deck.

Also used as a resting place for "Sammy the seal" many, many years ago on Umhloti and fishing platform

I think you have a romanticised idea of modern mine warfare. You can lay a mine from any ship. Very few western powers contemplate laying contact mines in future conflicts. One of the best ways to lay mines nowadays is by submarine. The type 209 submarine can be fitted with a nice discardable GRP "jacket" set carrying 48 mines. Whether we have any I doubt - what would be the point? South Africa is peculiarly unsuited to mine warfare, especially influence mines, except in harbours and perhaps the Agulhas bank.

Divers currently being our only mine countermeasures these days, now that all the RPVs have been retired, I suppose.

We have another ship in the bay this morning after the storm last night, could not get a photo through the rain .

It was rather of epic proportion's was it not? Are you sure the current ship in the bay does not have pairs of animals on board?

Would not be surprised if it did

Seems we collecting ships in the bay again.


CHRISTIANNA

Ship Type: Cargo
Status: Anchored/Moored
Length x Breadth: 229 m X 32 m
Draught: 13.3 m
Destination: SANTOS,BRAZIL



GMT PHOENIX

Ship Type: Cargo
Status: Anchored/Moored
Length x Breadth: 189 m X 32 m
Draught: 12.6 m
Destination: LANSHAN CHINA

and the SMIT AMANDLA is in the bay looking after them.

The GMT PHOENIX has left this evening

That was nice and quick. Hopefully the CHRISTIANNA soon be on her way as well.

Gotta get all those mealies to China.