Cape Town City calls for urgent inter-governmental meeting to discuss future of Seli 1 shipwreck

Image: Seli 1 - Jakes Slabbert ZS1TP (Click on image for larger view.)

The City of Cape Town has called on various government departments and agencies to attend an urgent inter-governmental meeting on Wednesday 1 February 2012 to seek resolution in respect of the Seli 1 shipwreck.

During the course of 2 – 7 September 2009, the Seli 1 experienced engine problems and planned to anchor in Table Bay to conduct repair work. A snapped anchor chain compounded with reduced engine power and stormy weather conditions culminated in the vessel grounding off the Blouberg Beach shortly before midnight on 7 September 2009.

Since the time of the stranding, several meetings have been held between City officials and other relevant departments/organisations. However, a permanent solution for the management of the wreck has not yet been reached.

Accordingly, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman J.P. Smith, has, on behalf of the Mayoral Committee, called for a meeting with the Ministers of the Departments of Transport and Environmental Affairs as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Transnet Executive Committee, the Transnet National Ports Authority and the South African Maritime Safety Authority in order to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

“The City has several concerns regarding the wreck. Not only does it constitute an ongoing safety hazard to a key recreational amenity but it also poses a number of adverse environmental impacts,” said Alderman Smith.

The position of the vessel has altered the coastal dynamics and accelerated both erosion and accretion patterns in the vicinity of the wreck. In addition, small pockets of oil remain trapped within the wreck and are released from time to time through cracks in the hull, especially during swell and wave action. This presents a permanent risk of oil spillage and oil contamination to the coastline and is a health and safety risk to both the public and marine life. To date, an explosion and a fire on board, a major oil spill and several residual oil spills have already occurred. The City has responded to these incidents through its Solid Waste Management, Disaster Risk Management, Fire and Rescue and Law Enforcement Departments.

In light of these and other risks posed by the wreck, the City will lead the meeting with a view to reaching a permanent and acceptable solution with regards to wreck reduction that will eliminate the risks being posed to the coastal environment as well as to the public.

The City will also propose the development of a joint cooperative governance protocol on ship stranding to ensure that the City’s coastline is not unduly placed at risk as a result of any future shipwrecks.

“The meeting will endeavour to define the process and partners involved in the development of this cooperative governance protocol,” said Alderman Smith.

The City is encouraged by the positive responses from those invited to the meeting and hopes to resolve the issue on Wednesday.

Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Alderman J.P. Smith, Mayoral Committee Member: Safety and Security, City of Cape Town

Media release supplied by: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes
Head: Systems Integration & Special Projects
Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre
City of Cape Town