Cape Town tries to take action on wreck

2012-02-02 11:52

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town is declaring an intergovernmental dispute over the removal of the Seli 1 shipwreck from Blouberg, The Cape Times newspaper reported on Thursday.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, told the newspaper he had called for a meeting with the Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and the chief executive officers of Transnet, the National Ports Authority and the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) to resolve the issue “as quickly as possible”.

The meeting however, was "slightly disastrous", said Smith.

"Two key departments, transport and environmental affairs did not attend. The other departments, Samsa, the National Ports Authority and Transnet were there.

R30m cost

"But there was no department of transport, which is critical. This will cost R30m plus and we need to know who will carry the costs. That could be a lot of money."

A snapped anchor chain compounded with reduced engine power and stormy weather conditions resulted in the vessel grounding off Blouberg Beach shortly before midnight on September 7, 2009.

Smith said among the reasons the ship had been lying there since 2009 was that the owner did not have insurance and had abandoned the vessel.

Since the time of the stranding, several meetings had been held between city officials and other relevant departments and organisations.

A permanent solution for the management of the wreck had never been reached.

Environmental Affairs spokesperson Zolile Nqayi told the Cape Times the department had no prior invitation to the meeting.

Transport spokesperson Sam Monareng told the newspaper he would look into the matter.

- SAPA