A rising star in the dangerous world of marine diving, Soweto-born Ratanang Maremane, 31, came to the rescue of two vital Transnet vessels in East London harbour this week.
On Monday, Maremane went under the stern of the 43-ton Mpunzi twin-screw tug to do one of the most treacherous jobs in international diving – remove solid objects jammed in propellers.
Maremane’s teacher, Bridget Thomson, who is the managing director of the top international commercial diving school, Seadog Commercial Diving School in Saldhana Bay, said: “This is a very high risk job. Numerous divers have been chopped up and killed around the world in accidents caused by non-compliance.”
She said Maremene was the first black South African woman to graduate from her school, and one of only two black women divers to graduate from the SA Navy since 2007.
Commenting on her work this week, she said Maremane would have used her “level-headed, strategic mind” to get a permit to work to ensure a “lockout”.
Maremane had to dive about 5m under the boat to get to a car tyre jammed into the propeller.
Once she had assessed the problem, she would have had worked out the best way to physically wrench the old tyre from out of the screw.
On Tuesday, Maremane was again down under the stern, this time removing a large bag which had become wrapped around the prop of the work boat pilot tug, Tristan Tern.
In both instances, the tugs hit rubbish lying submerged in the harbour.
Pilotage and tug assistance is compulsory at the port.
Transnet National Ports Authority in East London did not reply to calls and e-mails yesterday. Permission to speak to Maremane has to be granted by port manager Jacqueline Brown.
In an interview on the Seadog website, Maremane said: “My love for the maritime environment is what inspires me to be here at Transnet. I definitely see myself as a successful marine engineer within the next five years time.”
Her main duties included taking care of the port’s water-based assets, its tugs, motor launches, quay walls, steel structures and the wave rider buoy.
“On a daily basis we inspect underwater and above water assets, repair quay walls and steel structures and breakwalls in the port.
“We also assist the dock master with docking vessels and salvage and retrieve lost equipment, harbour assets and private equipment.”
“Apart from the fact that I’m physically fit, I knew for a fact that if I was put to the test I would not swim to save my life. Thus I believe strongly this was God’s will,” she says.
In 2007, Maremane successfully qualified as a fleet support diver and acquired skills such as underwater damage control, air-sea rescue and chamber attendant. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
High risks all in a day’s work for diver
On Monday, Maremane went under the stern of the 43-ton Mpunzi twin-screw tug to do one of the most treacherous jobs in international diving – remove solid objects jammed in propellers.
Maremane’s teacher, Bridget Thomson, who is the managing director of the top international commercial diving school, Seadog Commercial Diving School in Saldhana Bay, said: “This is a very high risk job. Numerous divers have been chopped up and killed around the world in accidents caused by non-compliance.”
She said Maremene was the first black South African woman to graduate from her school, and one of only two black women divers to graduate from the SA Navy since 2007.
Commenting on her work this week, she said Maremane would have used her “level-headed, strategic mind” to get a permit to work to ensure a “lockout”.
Maremane had to dive about 5m under the boat to get to a car tyre jammed into the propeller.
Once she had assessed the problem, she would have had worked out the best way to physically wrench the old tyre from out of the screw.
On Tuesday, Maremane was again down under the stern, this time removing a large bag which had become wrapped around the prop of the work boat pilot tug, Tristan Tern.
In both instances, the tugs hit rubbish lying submerged in the harbour.
Pilotage and tug assistance is compulsory at the port.
Transnet National Ports Authority in East London did not reply to calls and e-mails yesterday. Permission to speak to Maremane has to be granted by port manager Jacqueline Brown.
In an interview on the Seadog website, Maremane said: “My love for the maritime environment is what inspires me to be here at Transnet. I definitely see myself as a successful marine engineer within the next five years time.”
Her main duties included taking care of the port’s water-based assets, its tugs, motor launches, quay walls, steel structures and the wave rider buoy.
“On a daily basis we inspect underwater and above water assets, repair quay walls and steel structures and breakwalls in the port.
“We also assist the dock master with docking vessels and salvage and retrieve lost equipment, harbour assets and private equipment.”
“Apart from the fact that I’m physically fit, I knew for a fact that if I was put to the test I would not swim to save my life. Thus I believe strongly this was God’s will,” she says.
In 2007, Maremane successfully qualified as a fleet support diver and acquired skills such as underwater damage control, air-sea rescue and chamber attendant. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
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