KNYSNA NEWS - For the first time since the Navy began supporting the annual Knysna Festival 29 years ago, a Naval vessel was unable to lie at Thesen's Jetty on Thesen's Island during the Oyster Festival.
Huge swells of over 5m caused breakers on the outer and inner bars at the treacherous Knysna Heads on Tuesday, July 10. Task group commander Charl Maritz was on the NSRI boat Colourpress Rescuer in the Heads, studying the swell pattern, while captain of the vessel Lt Commander Eddie Nyathi was on board SAS Umzimkulu just beyond the breakers.
Ultimately the two commanders and the NSRI pilots agreed that it would not be possible to make an entry, and the vessel retired to Mossel Bay to lie at anchor.
On Wednesday, July 11 the same events were repeated and since the forecast of the swell for Thursday, July 12 was the same, it was decided to leave the ship at anchor for the day. The task group commander and the NSRI formed a plan of action for Friday, July 13 as the forecast swell was down from 5.5m to 3.8m and with an attempted entry at high tide around noon, there would be time to evaluate conditions in daylight to decide whether or not to call the ship to Knysna.
Unfortunately the director of Fleet Force Preparation in Simon's Town vetoed the plan, and SAS Umzimkulu continued to lie at anchor.
In order not to disappoint the citizens of Knysna by abandoning the parade by the Navy before the mayor of Knyna on Saturday, the crew from the ship were brought to Knysna from Mossel Bay by bus. The world famous South African Navy Band had arrived in Knysna on Friday, and were ready for the parade. However, pouring rain caused the venue for the parade to be moved to 'Plan B', the top floor of the Thesen's Harbour Town car park.
The parade, consisting of one Naval division and one division of Sea Cadets, took place before the mayor and the admiral. The mayor welcomed the admiral and the Navy, and spoke of the long-existing bonds of affection between the Navy and the town. She thanked him for the Navy's presence in support of the festival.
He in turn assured her of the Navy's enthusiastic support of the town of Knysna, and said that he hoped that a visit by the ship could be made at a later date in order that the work to be carried out at the Crèches could be undertaken. The South African Police Band then entertained the persons present with a spirited performance.
The Sea Cadets Anniversary Parade, celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the opening of the base by the then chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral LJ Woodburne, then took place at the same venue. Rear Admiral BH Teuteberg undertook the inspection and took the salute at the march past. The Cadets then presented a display of precision drill which the Naval personnel present found to be very impressive.
The parades were followed by a finger lunch of wonderful platters and cold chicken, supplied by Pick 'n Pay Knysna. The Cadet unit made wine, tea and coffee available, and Mitchell's Brewery supplied Foresters lagers. The Naval contingent and invited guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and there was enough for the cadets to also enjoy some food.
A highlight of the annual Pick 'n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is the concert by the South African Navy Senior Staff Band at the Knysna Quays Harbour Square on the last Sunday of the festival. It is an event looked forward to with great enthusiasm by the people of Knysna, and is presented by Peter Meese for the Waterfront Management Company. This year a tent was erected over the area for bad weather protection, but the storm made holes in the tent which would have allowed raindrops to fall on the band and their equipment.
On the Sunday morning the wind was an icy blast which would have made 90 minutes of sitting very uncomfortable, and rain was forecast to begin during the scheduled concert. The director of the Navy Band, Commander Ken Leibrandt, decided that he was unable to proceed with the concert at the Quays.
The 'plan B' venue was The Nedbank Pavillion on the Knysna High School Fields, but it was flooded, so the concert was called off in total. The festival is due to take place in the middle of the school holidays next year, so hopefully the Knysna High School Hall will be available as a 'plan B' venue for 2013. The packed lunches for the band, prepared by Café Mario and sponsored by Peter Meese, were distributed to the Dorothy Broster Children's Home in Khayalethu and were greatly appreciated.
- Knysna/Plett Herald
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