{"id":45616,"date":"2024-01-12T13:39:47","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T11:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/large-quantity-of-diesel-pumped-from-grounded-fishing-vessel-in-st-francis-bay-20240112\/"},"modified":"2024-01-12T13:39:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T11:39:47","slug":"large-quantity-of-diesel-pumped-from-grounded-fishing-vessel-in-st-francis-bay-20240112","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/large-quantity-of-diesel-pumped-from-grounded-fishing-vessel-in-st-francis-bay-20240112\/","title":{"rendered":"Large quantity of diesel pumped from grounded fishing vessel in St Francis Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"

Progress is being made in the removal of pollutants from the fishing vessel \u2018Elke M\u2019 that ran aground at St Francis Bay on January 6.<\/p>\n

The vessel had 24 crew on board when it ran aground 1 mile from Port St Francis at 22:30 on January 6<\/a>. All were brought to safety after they abandoned the ship.<\/p>\n

South African Maritime Safety Authority spokesperson, Tebogo Ramatjie said that a helicopter assisted in the transfer of equipment to the casualty on January 10, and the pumping of onboard fuel into 4 bulk IBC containers (1000 litre capacity) was completed.<\/p>\n

He further said that on January 11, the bulk containers containing fuel landed ashore in the demarcated landing site whilst operations continued onboard.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ | Operation to remove pollutants from grounded fishing vessel in St Francis Bay commences<\/a><\/p>\n

“The process of removing the pollutants is a priority with the initial focus being the 35 tonnes of diesel on board,” said Ramatjie.<\/p>\n

He said that on January 11, a workboat arrived onsite to provide assistance to the salvage operation and conduct an oil pollution watch following the release of the \u2018Umkhuseli\u2019 on the same day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ramatjie said that 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.<\/p>\n

“The environmental protection and safety of personnel remains the key priority for all stakeholders,” said Ramatjie.<\/p>\n

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY<\/h6>\n
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