Image credit: Rory Allen

It’s been about a month and a half since the Eihatsu Maru ran aground in Clifton. Amongst all the questions and mysteries surrounding the entire incident, one of the most prominent was: “Who’s going to be paying for all this?” The unexpected answer is that the ship’s owner has actually made an offer to the salvagers – who would have thought it?

The total cost of the salvage operation set the SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) back about R7 million, including the costs of draining diesel and welding on a bracket strong enough to withstand the pull.

The cost of Butlers Pizza delivery is not included in this estimate.

SAMSA has said that it would accept the owner’s offer of just over R4 million. A judicial sale is unlikely to result in SAMSA getting more than $500 000, and would also be subject to hefty court costs and delays. The rest of the money will most likely come from taxpayers, although no official word has been given regarding how the deficit will be made up.

I just want to know what happened to the dog that was on board.

[Source: News24]