26 September 2006
"Allegations about the banning of landing of rescue helicopters on fishing
harbours lack substance; we want to put it on record that the department has
never placed a ban on the landing of any rescue helicopters. In fact the South
African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) frequently launch landing/take offs from fishing harbours."
Responding to media reports this morning about the alleged ban on rescue
helicopters, the Acting Chief Director of Communications at the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Blessing Manale accused the media of lack
of substance and bias on the matter. "It compromises cordial relations and
professional conduct to have the media spreading baseless allegations and
innuendo without an investigation into the crux of what they want to report on"
said Mr Manale.
The story first appeared on the front page of the Cape Times of 24 September
2006 written by Melanie Gosling alleging that the department has banned the
landing of rescue helicopters at fishing harbours. These allegations were
repeated on a radio broadcast by a representative from the National Sea Rescue
Institute (NSRI) on 25 September 2006.
"We would like to put the record straight and this time we expect the media
to report factually and with substance on this issue" said Mr Manale in
outlining the departmental position on the matter. The following are the
facts:
1. The department has never placed a ban on the landing of any rescue
helicopters. In fact the SAPS and the SANDF frequently launch landing/takeoffs
from fishing harbours.
2. The department is responsible for the management of fishing harbours, 12
in total. Contrary to what the Cape Times has reported, the Mossel Bay harbour
is not one of the fishing harbours managed by the department. The management of
fishing harbours involves ensuring the facilitates for fishing vessels are
adequate, launching and docking processes of fishing vessels, loading and
recording of fish catches and other related aspects.
3. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the mandated
institution authorising flights and approving declared areas for landings and
off-takes for air traffic. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is
responsible for regulation of air traffic - not the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism.
2. Requests from private helicopters operators to land/takeoff from the
fishing harbours for purposes of private business use have increased recently.
Coupled with this is a dramatic increase in the unauthorised landing and
takeoff from such private operators, the majority of whom do not have clear
identification, a requirement as per aviation regulations.
3. This is posing serious and increased safety risks to members of the
public and those such as the fishing industry who make use of fishing harbours
facilities. It further poses a safety risk also to those making use of such
unauthorised helicopter landings/off leading use, such as tourists. This
resulted in numerous complaints being lodged with the department.
4. As a result of the above, the department has contacted the South African
CAA for guidance in respect of this issue.
5. The department was advised that authorisation for flights must first be
obtained from the CAA, and that take off/landing without such authorisation is
illegal.
This will enable CAA to alert the department regarding flight plans which
will enable the department to take adequate precautions. Note that only one
harbour (Kalk Bay) out of the 12 fishing harbours have an area which is
approved by CAA as a helicopter landing area. (Helipad)
6. The department has never said rescue helicopter landings in situations of
emergencies will not be allowed. This is completely untrue. It is regretted
that such misconception has been published and broadcast, said Mr Manale in
conclusion.
Enquiries:
Blessing Manale
Acting Chief Director: Communications
Tel: (012) 310 3862
Cell: 083 381 2939
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
26 September 2006
