Photos: South African Navy completes initial wreck reduction efforts

The Joint Multi-agency Task Team monitoring the Seli 1 wreck reduction process has announced that the Operational Diving Team (ODT) of the South African Navy has completed the initial wreck reduction efforts.

While the wreck is still visible, significant progress has been made in weakening its structure and it is expected that it is now sufficiently weakened to enable the ocean forces to collapse it onto the seabed during the upcoming winter, as originally intended.

The ODT in conjunction with the Department of Transport will conduct further assessments of the wreck to assist the Task Team in determining if the objectives of the operation have been met and whether any further work is required. Further decisions will then be made in this regard.

The Task Team reported that minimal quantities of oil released from the wreck were promptly contained and dealt with. In addition, marine life was largely unaffected by the operation. Clean-up contingency measures will remain in place.

Given that the wreck has been substantially weakened, it constitutes a danger and is therefore unsafe to the public. The public is required to remain clear of the wreck at all times.

The public will be kept updated of further developments.

The Task Team would like to thank the residents of Table View and the general public for their cooperation during the operation.

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