The continuous droning of engines and generators of the well-known vessel Al Safa is causing sleepless nights for Milnerton residents, they claim, and their complaints are falling on deaf ears.
But Transnet’s Port Authority in turn says the issue is only prevalent when there are strong winds.
This vessel plies her trade between the Cape Town Harbour and an anchoring spot just off the lighthouse in Milnerton.
According to a resident, John Bramwell, the constant droning of her (Al Safa’s) generators not only disturbs one’s sleep but is detrimental to one’s mental health.
“For some years we have been affected by the ship the Al Safa and the continual droning of her engines/generators throughout the night.
He says hears it “24/7”, but more noticeable at night.
“When the wind is blowing from the south east, you might not hear her, but in any other direction, Milnerton residents will hear her.”
He uses an app called “Vessel Finder” to see how many times the vessel has anchored just off Milnerton.
“I have asked if she can be moored further out in the bay, but actually trying to get a reply to emails or to speak to someone with the authority to make a decision is seemingly impossible,” Bramwell says.
When TygerBurger queried residents’ concerns to Transnet, they responded that they are aware of the noise complaints from residents living in the port’s surrounding areas.
“According to the complaints received, the noise issue occurs only when strong winds are blowing towards the shore, says says Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) spokesperson Lorraine Mabindisa.
“Where possible, vessels are anchored to not cause a nuisance to residents”.
The Port of Cape Town has four anchorage areas, namely:
- Anchorage No.1: opposite Sea Point area and is outside the port limits and is under the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa’s) jurisdiction;
- anchorage No.2: demarcated for general vessels and is situated opposite Milnerton Lighthouse, inside the port limits;
- anchorage No.3: designated for small vessels and close to the Blouberg area, inside port limits and
- anchorage No.4: demarcated for tankers and is situated further north, between Robben Island and Table View, inside port limits.
“The Merchant Shipping Act prescribes that no vessel can be refused a place of refuge when required, therefore the anchorage areas are the safe demarcated areas for vessels waiting to enter the port or seeking refuge from adverse weather en route to other destinations,” Mabindisa says.
Currently, there is no maritime law governing the noise levels of ships in anchorage areas.
Any incident or non-conformance on board a vessel, whether inside the port or outside the port, at an anchorage area can be reported to Samsa for further investigation.
“The municipality by-laws regulate the noise nuisance emanating within the city that affects citizens and complaints in this regard may be put forward to the City of Cape Town. The primary sources of noise on a ship that give rise to noise in the environment are diesel generator engine exhaust, ventilation inlets/outlets and secondary noise sources, such as pumps for refrigerated containers,” Mabindisa says.
“All these systems are necessary for the vessel whilst it is still in the anchorage area.”
Bramwelll was determined that TNPA to address the issue, and approached the port captain.
“I was given the number of a Captain Alex Miy,” he says.
“He appeared a reasonable man and listened to the issues I had with the Al Safa relating to the noise,” he says.
“He assured me that the ship would be moved further out and suggested that I should monitor the ship and get back to him,” Bramwell says.
Mabindisa responded that the Port of Cape Town has at all times co-operated with Samsa and the City of Cape Town in investigating complaints received from affected parties.
“TNPA Cape Town would like to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to optimise the value proposition of the port to the city and all its residents,” she says.
