It brings back old memories to se the old HCLS SARITA. I sailed with her from 79 to 84 in the Gulf of Mexico building oilrigs. Last year we sailed around south america an had the last job in Santa Babra channel, California. She was there sold to Brown & Root and the Norwegian creew went back home.

Wow I was there at Vung Tau September through to October just gone, working offshore. I remember seeing this old crane floating close to shore as our crew took the ferry from Ho Chi Min to Vung tau. Sad to hear about the fire.

According to local reports, the ship ran aground at Vung Tau back in July 2010 and was never refloated. So, she was basically already a wreck when the above picture was taken.

She caught fire on Sunday, 20th October 2013 and burned out. The full report can be seen in the latest Newsclippings (issue #296) from Piet Sinke:
http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/DailyMagazine/default.html

Also a small report here: http://vietnamnews.vn/society/246534/fire-spreads-on-stranded-vessel.html

By Eck there was never any rust on her when I was the ships medic onboard Sarita as she was then.. Call sign LDLD.
I must add I was pretty surprised to sea her still afloat and working!

Quite unusual for a converted-to-crane-ship ship to serve more than 45 years, while all her alikes are long gone, such ones as the Challenger, Odin, Thor, Champion, Orca, etc. Lucky granny!