'Safmarine Agulhas' fuel removal operation underway

Jul 2, 2006
Author: SMIT Salvage

Cargo removal operation to commence within 24 hours

Sunday 2 July, 2006 (11h00): The fuel removal operation with respect to the grounded container ship 'Safmarine Agulhas' began yesterday and to date approximately 120 tonnes of fuel has been pumped from the vessel into rail tank cars located on the Western Breakwater in the Port of East London.

The vessel ran aground shortly after exiting the Port of East London on the night of Monday 26th June. The 'Safmarine Agulhas', located some five metres from the breakwater and still connected to the tug 'Smit Amandla' (the Department of Transport's pollution standby tug managed by the South African Maritime Safety Authority) which is holding her off the breakwater following a number of refloating attempts in the last few days, had a total of 662 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board prior to the fuel removal operation commencing and, for the purpose of
environmental protection, this fuel is being removed as a precautionary measure.

The fuel removal operation is proceeding well. The National Ports Authority harbour tugs remain on standby to further assist the 'Smit Amandla' should weather and sea conditions require additional power to maintain the casualty's distance from the
breakwater.

On Friday, at a press conference hosted by the 'Safmarine Agulhas' Joint Operations Committee, the salvage plan was outlined and its distinct phases detailed. The main focus of the salvage operation is the removal of all heavy fuel oil, which is currently underway, and the cargo removal operation - which is necessary for the purpose of
lightening the vessel to aid future refloating attempts. The vessel is carrying 469 loaded containers containing varied cargo and 112 empty containers. A 400 tonne crane will arrive in East London this afternoon and will be utlilised in the cargo removal operation, which entails the removal by crane of the deck cargo (containerised). The crane, which is capable of lifting some 33 tonnes at the required reach, will be located on the Western Breakwater and has a reach sufficient to work the cargo from the ship to the breakwater. The cargo removal operation is reliant
on good weather and sea conditions and will only continue whilst it is deemed safe to do so, with the safety of members of the salvage team remaining a top priority.

Safety of life and the protection of the marine environment remain the top priorities for the 'Safmarine Agulhas' Joint Operations Committee, which meets daily. The Committee is comprised of local and national authorities, National Ports Authority, South African Maritime Safety Authority, Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, SMIT Salvage, local Traffic and SAPS representatives, and representatives of owners, charterers and other stakeholders.

The Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism's oil pollution patrol aircraft 'Kuswag VIII' continues to overfly the casualty daily so as to monitor the vessel's effect on the environment and is stationed in East London. The vessel's structural integrity is being monitored by the SMIT Salvage team, who remain on the casualty with the 'Safmarine Agulhas'' Master, Officers and Crew. Both proactive and reactive environmental protection measures are in place. The Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism's Inshore Patrol Vessel 'Victoria Mxenge' remains on site and the Department has mobilised oil spill abatement equipment and a team of experts to East London. The team is conducting daily beach patrols to monitor any impact on the environment.

The SMIT oil pollution abatement vessel 'Kuswag IV' is on site as an additional precaution.

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. Shipping operations are continuing as normal in the Port and are not impacted on by the current situation.

Access to the port is being strictly controlled at all times and 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. This request extends to members of the public who fly microlights for
recreational purposes. 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.