Stranded vessel leaking

2006-07-17 16:13

Johannesburg - Marine salvors were attempting to remove the remaining 20 tons of heavy fuel oil from the stranded Safmarine Agulhas, after a crack on the portside of the vessel started leaking diesel oil on Monday afternoon.

Environmental affairs representative Nazeera Hargey said officials were unsure about the quantity of oil leaking from the crack, but were dealing with the matter.

She said that the Kuswag 4 was ready to contain the spillage, before it got to the beaches.

"The situation is also being monitored by the Kuswag 8, and by taking aerial photographs", she said.

Inclement weather during the past weekend made it difficult to remove remaining containers and further compromised the structural integrity of the vessel.

180 containers left

"There are still about 180 containers and 20 tons of heavy fuel oil left.

"As the Agulhas gets pummelled by heavy seas, it puts pressure on the structural integrity of the vessel.

"The longer it remains out there, the vessel is taking strain and a slight seem of diesel oil is leaking into the water.

The situation is being treated", national ports authority spokesperson Terry Taylor, said.

He added that the operation to remove the remaining containers was going well at the moment, and there was no environmental risk.

The 16 800 ton Safmarine Agulhas ran aground shortly after its engines failed, while leaving the East London port on June 28.

- SAPA