Death of a Supertanker by Antony Trew Page B

a long time coming.’
    For Suvic’s benefit Kostadis explained briefly the repairproblem, more drinks were ordered, and the three men sat talking to a late hour. Before they parted Suvic had invited them to dinner at Beverly Hills on the following night.
    ‘I’d like that,’ said Foley. ‘But I’ll have to clear it with my wife.’ He grinned apologetically. ‘Two consecutive nights out on my own, you know.’
    ‘Of course‚’ said Suvic. ‘I understand.’ He looked at his watch. ‘And now if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I must go. I have much work tomorrow.’
    When he’d gone Foley said, ‘Nice chap. What does he do for a living?’
    ‘Visiting fireman,’ said Kostadis.
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘Trouble-shooter, fixer. When the big boys have a problem they send for him. He fixes it. That’s how he made his money.’
    ‘What’s his nationality?’
    ‘Czech. But he’s lived in Cyprus for years,’
    It was close to one o’clock when Kostadis saw Foley to the car which he’d organized for the second officer’s journey back into Durban. ‘You’ll find the Marinreparat launch waiting for you at the Point Ferry Jetty. I fixed it with them this afternoon.’
    ‘Thanks very much, Nico. And thanks for the dinner. It was great.’
    ‘Glad you enjoyed it,’ said Kostadis. ‘See you tomorrow.’
     
    A tug towing a lighter arrived alongside Ocean Mammoth early in the afternoon of the following day. It made fast abreast the after superstructure on the port side, the ship’s gantry crane was run out to plumb the lighter, and the HP rotor was lifted clear. Sandy Foley, watching the operation with two other wives, was surprised how relatively small this much discussed and important piece of machinery was. About three and a half feet in diameter, she estimated, and four or five feet long. But it was heavy and had to be handled carefully. From the top of the gantry it was hauled inboard along the overhead transverse crane which travelled across the beam of the ship through the superstructure housing at maindeck level. Once amidships the rotor was transferred to the fore-and-aft overhead crane which traversed the length of the engineroom. When it was immediately above the HP turbine casing it was lowered gently into position and the contractors began the work of fitting.
    The arrival of the new rotor had a remarkable and tonic effect on morale. There was cheerful chatter, laughter and an air of happy expectation throughout the ship. It was as if a great weight had been lifted from the shoulders of those on board. It was, in fact, no more than the old truth that delays in harbour make for restless sailors and a longing for the sea, for getting on with the voyage which must at its end bring them home.
     
    Kostadis had arranged to meet George Foley on the verandah of the Royal Hotel to drive him out to Umhlanga Rocks where they were to dine with Stefan Suvic.
    When Kostadis arrived he was full of apologies. ‘Sorry, old chap. I can’t make it tonight. Have to attend a conference with the Marinreparat people and the marine surveyors. We’ve a problem to sort out. My driver will take you to the Beverly Hills. Tell Stefan I’ll come along after dinner if we finish early enough.’
    They evidently didn’t finish early enough, because Kostadis hadn’t turned up by eleven o’clock when Foley bade Suvic goodnight and got into the car which was to take him to the Ferry Jetty in time for the eleven-thirty launch.
    Not that Kostadis’s absence had in any way detracted from a memorable evening. On the contrary, the dinner had been unusually good and Stefan Suvic had proved to be an entertaining host with interesting and important things to say. Afterwards, on the journey back into Durban, Foley realized how fortunate it was that the marine-superintendent had been otherwise engaged.

Chapter 7
    Two days after the new turbine rotor had been delivered to Ocean Mammoth ,Captain Crutchley, Kostadis and Lars Ham-marsen