Authorities & Salvors respond quickly to grounded container vessel Safmarine Agulhas

Jun 27, 2006
Author: SMIT Salvage

Cape Town, 27 June 2006: Authorities, salvors and other stakeholders are working together to facilitate an effective response to the grounded container ship 'Safmarine Agulhas', which ran aground on Monday night at approximately 21h15, shortly after exiting the Port of East London en route to Durban. The 'Safmarine Agulhas' Joint Operations Committee was convened this morning in East London and is chaired by the South
African Maritime Safety Authority, with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, National Ports Authority and other stakeholders represented at meetings. The Committee (or JOC as it is known) is a forum through which authorities and stakeholders can communicate regularly and effectively so as to ensure that all decisions made are informed and all parties consulted.



At present the vessel remains intact. No pollution has been reported and the vessel's structural integrity continues to be monitored by the salvage team, who are in the process of undertaking preliminary inspections before a salvage plan can be finalised. The 'Safmarine Agulhas' is a container ship owned by F.A Vinnen & Co Gmbh & Co and deployed on the Europe/South Africa Intermediate service. The vessel is currently on charter to Safmarine Container Lines N.V. The vessel has 662 tonnes of heavy fuel on board and 88 tonnes of diesel oil. She is carrying 469 loaded containers and 112 empty containers.

Of paramount importance during the 'Safmarine Agulhas' salvage operation in East London is the protection of the marine environment and the safety and protection of the public and salvage personnel. Both proactive and reactive environmental protection measures are in place.

The Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, as the responsible authority for oil pollution combating, has sent the Inshore Patrol Vessel 'Victoria Mxenge' to the site of the casualty. Oil spill abatement equipment has been mobilized and will be deployed as and when necessary. The SMIT salvage tug 'Smit Amandla' departed False Bay, Cape Town this morning and is en route to East London. The tug is expected to arrive in East London late tomorrow and will be used to assist in any refloating attempts in the days to come. The SMIT oil pollution abatement vessel 'Kuswag IV' is being mobilized to the area as an additional precaution and to bring her closer for instant response should the need arise for additional abatement resources.

At present, the 22 ship's personnel remain onboard the vessel and will be brought ashore should it be deemed necessary. The salvage team was on site by the early hours of this morning and equipment, additional personnel and other resources including a powerful S61 helicopter are being mobilised. SMIT Salvage operates according to strict safety policies and procedures and the safety of its personnel is a top priority. Members of the public are kindly requested to stay away from the casualty for their own safety. The presence of wires, cables and vessels being used in the salvage operation could pose a threat to the safety of innocent bystanders not acquainted with this kind of operation. In addition, salvage divers kindly request members of the public who use recreational boats to stay away as the presence of boat
propellers threatens their safety.

Additional information will be released as and when it becomes available.