'Safmarine Agulhas' cargo removal operation proceeding well

Jul 4, 2006
Author: SMIT Salvage

At 08h30 this morning, the removal of containerised deck cargo with respect to the grounded container ship 'Safmarine Agulhas' began, with a specialised 400 tonne crane (capable of lifting some 33 tonnes at the required reach) lifting the first container off of the casualty and onto the breakwater.

Under current operational conditions, the teams aboard the vessel and on the breakwater are able to lift seven containers an hour off of the 'Safmarine Agulhas' and this operation is proceeding well in favourable weather conditions. Containers removed from the casualty are being transported by road to a secure area in the Port of East London.

The 'Safmarine Agulhas' ran aground shortly after exiting the Port of East London on the night of Monday 26th June and is aground approximately five metres off of the Western Breakwater.

To date approximately 200 tonnes of fuel have been pumped from the 'Safmarine Agulhas' into rail tank cars located on the Western Breakwater. 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.

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 tug 'Smit Amandla' is connected to the 'Safmarine Agulhas' and is holding her off of the breakwater

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.