STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, ALDERMAN J.P. SMITH: City grateful to SA Navy for assistance with Seli 1 wreck reduction

The City of Cape Town is pleased with the progress of the wreck reduction activities undertaken thus far in respect of the Seli 1 wreck.

The purpose of the operation is to strategically weaken the structure of the wreck and for it to be collapsed onto the seabed by the ocean forces.

A renewed appeal is made to the general public to adhere to the restrictions that are in place as well as instructions of the various law enforcement agencies present on-site. The public is not allowed to access the wreck under any circumstances.

Whilst the operation is going as planned, the public is reminded that the wreck may remain visible until dismantled by the ocean forces.

The operation follows the Department of Transport enlisting the assistance of the South African (SA) Navy to undertake the wreck reduction process. In addition, the City of Cape Town, the South African Maritime Safety Authority(SAMSA), the Department of Environmental Affairs and other supporting agencies are assisting with the provision of resources and manpower.

The SA Navy is undertaking this operation as part of its continuous training exercises and no funding has been allocated to the SA Navy.

The joint multi-agency task team is grateful to the SA Navy, given the costs that would otherwise have been incurred by the Department of Transport to undertake this operation.

The contingency measures will remain in place for the duration of the operation to deal with any oil pollution incidents.

End

Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

For Operational enquiries: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects and Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town