THE DEEPEST yet cofferdam repair to a fully laden ship in a South African harbour has not only been successfully completed but has enabled the vessel, the 182 212-dwt iron ore carrier Hebei Wisdom, to continue its journey with minimum delay. While sailing off the South African coast, the ship’s crew noticed the ship was taking water and a decision was made to head for Richards Bay, one of two ports able to accommodate fully laden Capesize vessels. Faced with the choice of making temporary repairs until a Capesize dry dock was available, Dormac Marine convinced the owners there was another alternative – to allow them to repair the fully laden ship by means of a cofferdam, a steel fabrication that fits along the outside of the vessel enabling workmen to access the damaged section, cut it out and replace with new steel. This would however be the first time that a Capesize ship has been repaired in this manner inside a South African harbour. The repair was completed in record time causing little delay to the vessel.