Ship: On brink of disaster
2003-08-21 22:49
Carel van Dyk and Marenet Jordaan
Cape Town - Amid growing concern about an ecological disaster, it has been revealed that a highly flammable chemical substance has started leaking out of one of the containers on board the stranded Sealand Express.
In addition, the ship is carrying 50 tons of uranium ore concentrate.
The Nuclear Fuel Corporation of SA on Thursday told Sapa that the uranium ore is being held in special containers.
Captain Bill Dernier of the SA Maritime Safety Association on Thursday confirmed that propyl acetate was leaking from one of the containers on board. The substance is highly flammable and volatile - a tiny spark could ignite it.
A guide on industrial substances states that the propyl acetate can explode when it comes into contact with oxidants, such as the chlorine used in swimming pools.
Clint Eisenhauer of the US Ship Management (USSMI) said a small leakage was detected even before the ship was stranded. A chemical expert salvor of Smit Marine inspected the chemicals on board on Thursday.
Dangerous
Dernier said there are 33 crates containing dangerous substances on board, including flammables, poisons, fireworks and substances that are slightly radioactive.
Prof John Bolton, marine biologist and the University of Cape Town, said oil pollution caused the biggest problem when a ship runs aground.
At least 20 000 penguins were polluted in 2000 when oil leaked form the Treasure, a Chinese ore-carrier that sank off Melkbosstrand. The Sealand Express has at least three times as much oil on board as the Treasure.
Bolton said the oil has a suffocating effect and can destroy all forms of sea life.
Meanwhile, a second cold front was heading toward Cape Town and will bring more rain and strong winds. This might delay the salvaging process by another six days.
Dr Crispian Olver, director general of environmental affairs and tourism said the department would consider taking steps if the exact content of the containers was not made know soon. Such steps might include confiscating the ship or placing the ship in arrest.
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Olver said although the salvage was in the hands of Smit marine and Samsa, it was important that the department gain complete access to information regarding the cargo of the ship in order to plan for any crisis which could have a negative effect on the environment.
Clare Gomes for Smit Marine said a pipeline had been secured to a point in the sea where three separate ships would be anchored to receive oil pumped from the stricken vessel.
The success of the operation depends on the weather, surf conditions and wind.
Cobus Dowry, local government MEC, said the government did not have helicopters strong enough to airlift the containers, which in total weigh around 18 000 tons.
Mobile cranes would also not suffice because the water where the ship is stranded is too shallow.