The following is a press release CapeNature today regarding the cargo ship that has run aground and is spilling oil at Goukamma....
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The bulk rice cargo ship Kianu Satu
reported mechanical problems in the early hours of 8 August (last
Thursday) and ran to ground inside the marine protected area of the
CapeNature-protected Goukamma Nature Reserve.
While efforts are ongoing to tug the
cargo ship out to sea, the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at Buffalo
Bay/Goukamma continues to protect the estuaries and prepare for major
clean-up operations, once the ship has been removed.
JOC Incident coordinator Gerhard Otto
said more than 350 people from some 20 organisations and stakeholders
were working together to address the many issues caused by the oil
spill. “At the moment, the Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine
Protected Area is the most affected by oil. There is no current
threat to the Knysna and Swartvlei Estuaries, but precautionary
measures are in place.
“At Swartvlei attempts are being made
to close the river mouth manually using sandbags and sand moving
equipment.
“While there is no current threat to
the Knysna Estuary, oil collecting booms are in place and can be
pulled across targeted sections of the estuary should it become
necessary.
“At Goukamma a clean-up base camp is
being set up and full scale clean-ups will get underway as soon as
the vessel has been moved to around 10 nautical miles from the coast.
The Goukamma River is also being closed manually. Earlier attempts to
stop contamination with a boom in the river were unsuccessful and
some contamination occurred upstream, but is now contained,” said
Mr. Otto.
A sea bird and animal rescue team is in
place. So far, 31 oiled birds (mostly penguins) have been rescued.
Western Cape Minister of Local
Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton
Bredell says: “It is encouraging to see how national and provincial
government , local and district municipalities, conservation
partners, NGOs and private business work together effectively in a
time of crisis to protect and save our natural resources. This is
truly an example of how we work better together for our environment.”
Please note: Please note the
information in this press release comprises the information ON LAND.
All matters on sea are commented on by SAMSA spokesman Nigel Campbell
at 083 309 6053.
Other contacts:
Oil affected birds - 082 326 4143 or
072 670 5108 or 083 454 2284
Oil affected seals - 082 665 3770
Incidents can also be reported to 044
805 5071 (JOC Report Centre)
Media information:
Ms Athane Scholtz
Communication Officer
JOC – Goukamma (Knysna Municipality)
Cell phone: +27 (0)83 441 0331
Email: ascholtz@knysna.gov.za
Immediate crisis over - the boat was pulled free on the 18th August. Clean up of oil from beaches and birds underway.
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