THE bow section of the shipwrecked MV Smart was safely towed away and scuttled deep at sea at around 10am today.
Salvage crews aboard the super tug Smit Amandla, assisted by two other tugs, hauled the section 28 miles due east to the spot where the aft section was sent to its watery grave on 5 October last year.
The fully laden coal vessel ran aground on a sandbank just north of the harbour entrance while leaving the Port of Richards Bay in horrific weather on 19 August 2013.
The rudder and propeller were badly damaged and an environmental disaster was averted when all fuels on board were successfully removed.
The salvage work is being undertaken by Subtech of Durban.
With the familiar ‘landmark’ now missing, work will continue on the remaining submerged and heavily damaged section of the vessel comprising holds 4 to 7, which will be cut up and removed in pieces.
