The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has instructed salvors to prioritise the removal of fuel from the bulk carrier Seli 1, which ran aground shortly before midnight on Monday, 7 September 2009 at Blouberg, Cape Town.
At first light this morning, a salvage team from SMIT Salvage was landed on the casualty and commenced with an assessment of the vessel. Sea conditions are severe and the casualty is being subjected to waves that at times are over washing it. As such, safety of life is a priority. The vessel’s master, officers and crew were evacuated from the casualty by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) this morning.
The removal of the casualty’s fuel is a proactive measure to ensure that risk to the environment from oil pollution is reduced and all relevant authorities have activated contingency plans so as to minimise impact should there be a spill. The Department of Environmental Affairs pollution patrol aircraft Kuswag nine over flew the casualty this morning and reported no oil visible in the water in the vicinity of the Seli 1.
Salvors report that the vessel’s structural integrity is such that any attempts to re-float her may worsen her condition. The engine room is flooded and tidal, indicating that structural damage was sustained during the grounding and that this space is open to the sea. Additional salvage personnel and equipment will be flown out to the vessel in an attempt to stabilise her condition and in preparation for the fuel removal operation, for which a plan is currently being finalised.
The removal of fuel is contingent on suitable weather and sea conditions and will commence only once weather conditions have improved. The standby salvage tug SMIT Amandla remains in the vicinity. Members of the public are kindly requested to limit their sightseeing activities to non-demarcated areas and to be cognisant of the fact that the dunes adjacent to the beach are environmentally sensitive. Relevant authorities will be on hand to assist in this regard and have demarcated viewing areas.
The Seli 1 was en route to Gibraltar and has 30 000 tonnes of coal onboard. She is carrying approximately 660 tonnes of fuel and is 29 years old, built in 1980 in South Korea. The operation is being managed by a Joint Operations Committee involving all responsible parties. The committee is chaired by Captain Dave Colly of the South African Maritime Safety Authority and includes representatives from SAMSA, Department of Environmental Affairs, SMIT Salvage, Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), City of Cape Town Disaster Management, Transnet National Ports Authority, amongst others.
For further information kindly contact:
Dave Colly
Tel: 021 421 6170
Carol Moses
Cell: 082 829 3917
E-mail: cmoses@deat.gov.za
Coen Birkenstock
Tel: 021 449 2389
Cell: 083 452 6698
Steve van Rensburg
Cell: 084 909 4137
Clare Gomes
Tel: 021 507 5777
Cell: 082 909 2025
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
8 September 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs (http://www.deat.gov.za/)
