Preparations being finalised for 'Safmarine Agulhas' cargo removal operation

Jul 3, 2006
Author: SMIT Salvage

East London, 3 July 2006: Salvors from SMIT Salvage hope to commence with the cargo removal operation with respect to the grounded container ship 'Safmarine Agulhas' later today. The vessel ran aground shortly after exiting the Port of East London on the night of Monday 26th June and is carrying 469 loaded containers containing varied cargo and 112 empty containers.

A 400 tonne crane arrived in East London yesterday and once the crane is erected on the breakwater the cargo removal operation will commence. This operation entails the removal by crane of the deck cargo (containerised) and its transportation to a secure area inside the Port of East London. The crane is capable of lifting some 33 tonnes at the required 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 at sea and ashore remaining a top priority.

To date approximately 180 tonnes of fuel have been pumped from the 'Safmarine Agulhas' into rail tank cars located on the Western Breakwater in the Port of East London. The vessel had a total of 662 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board prior to the fuel removal operation commencing and this operation is proceeding well. A number of refloating attempts last week succeeded in moving the 'Safmarine Agulhas' 5 metres off of the breakwater. The tug 'Smit Amandla' remains connected to the casualty and the National Ports Authority harbour tugs are on standby to assist should weather and sea conditions deteriorate and additional power be required to maintain the casualty's distance from the breakwater.

Safety of life and the protection of the marine environment remain the top priorities for the 'Safmarine Agulhas' Joint Operations Committee, which meets daily.

A number of proactive environmental protection measures are in place:

The Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism's (DEAT) oil pollution patrol aircraft 'Kuswag VIII' is stationed in East London and continues to overfly the casualty daily

DEAT's Inshore Patrol Vessel 'Victoria Mxenge' remains on site

DEAT 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 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

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