Operations to remove the pollutants from the fishing vessel ‘Elke M’ that ran aground in St Francis Bay on January 6, resumed this morning, January 12, after being suspended late yesterday, January 11, due to bad weather.
South African Maritime Safety Authority spokesperson, Tebogo Ramatjie said that yesterday a helicopter assisted in the transfer of equipment to the vessel, and the pumping of onboard fuel into 4 bulk IBC containers was completed.
He said that today, January 12, the bulk containers containing fuel will be landed ashore in the demarcated landing site while operations continue onboard.
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Ramatjie said that the process of removing the pollutants is a priority, with the initial focus being the 35 tonnes of diesel on board.
“The vessel ‘Mysie’ arrived onsite yesterday to help the salvage operation and conduct an oil pollution watch, following the release of the ‘Umkhuseli’,” said Ramatjie.
He further said that the SAMSA will continue monitoring the operation, working in collaboration with the Incident Management Structure (IMS) which includes Owners, the insurers (P&I Club), municipality officials, the NSRI, salvors AMSOL, environmental management organisations, and other relevant parties.
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Ramatjie said that environmental protection and the safety of personnel remain the key priority for all stakeholders.
He said that the vessel had 24 crew on board when she ran aground 1 mile from Port St Francis at 22:30 on January 6.
All were brought to safety after they abandoned the ship.
