An attempt to pull off the Japanese longliner, Eihatsu Maru, that ran aground at Clifton First Beach on Saturday, will be made tomorrow between 10:00 and 13:20. The City of Cape Town is assisting this operation which is being led by the South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA).
SAMSA has made the call to elevate the salvage to a national issue and as such will lead the operation. SAMSA has appointed SMIT Amandla Marine, a maritime services provider, as the lead salvage agent.
According to SMIT’s expert advice, pulling the vessel off remains the best method for salvaging the ship. The ship sustained minimal damage when it ran aground and as such there is a very low risk of any oil pollution occurring.
Because of the low pollution risk, no fuel or cargo will be removed from the vessel before the salvage attempt is made. The key issue with the attempt is the establishment of a connection point on the vessel that will withstand the estimated 80 tonne pull force that is required. On Saturday, the tow rope snapped when 20 tonnes of pull force was applied. As a result, SMIT will be putting a team of engineers on board today to establish a connection and pull point on the vessel.
In order to facilitate this salvage effort, a helicopter will be used to get staff and materials on board. The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has secured the use of an Air Force helicopter in order to assist the SMIT helicopter with the operation. As well as this, the City has agreed to secure a staging area where the helicopters can land and also refuel if necessary. The staging area will be used through the duration of the operation.
End
Wilfred Schrevian Evan Solomons-Johannes
Head: Systems Integration & Special Projects
Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre
Disaster Risk Management Centre
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