16 April 2017
The Captain of the RMS St Helena has this morning advised passengers that cargo will be discharged from the vessel as a precautionary measure. The problems with the starboard propeller are not yet resolved and investigations continue. While the repair was effective at the time the ship left dry dock last week, it subsequently failed and there has now been the added problem of water ingress. There is no threat to the vessel from this.
It is therefore highly likely that the vessel will need to go back to dry dock and preliminary arrangements have been made for this to happen on late Wednesday/early Thursday this week. A full repair will be undertaken, with the intention that the RMS schedule will commence again from Voyage 257.
The MV Helena is currently at anchor off Cape Town and AWSML are making the necessary arrangements to ensure supplies reach St Helena as soon as practicable. Once the decision is final, details will be made public.
Alternative transport arrangements for passengers are being considered and the ship’s agents will be on-board to explain options to passengers at 9am tomorrow Monday, 17 April 2017 (7am GMT). Discussions continue as to whether an alternative passenger vessel can be located and at the same time investigations continue into whether an aircraft can be sourced.
Alternative arrangements are also being made for those passengers who went to Cape Town for medical reasons.
The shuttle-bus has been reinstated for passengers wishing to spend time ashore and the crew has been granted shore leave.
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SHG/SHL
16 April 2017