Press Releases
Blouberg, 07th September, 2009. Ship runs aground
Pat van Eyssen, NSRI Table Bay station commander said: "At 23h00 NSRI Table Bay and NSRI Melkbosstrand were placed on high alert by the Transnet National Ports Authority after the 77 metre coal bulk carrier Seli I ran aground at Sunset Beach next to Dolphin Beach in Blouberg.
"The vessel is Panamanian registered carrying 25 Turkish crew. Her last Port of call was Durban and she was lying at anchor in Table Bay waiting for engine repairs.
"The vessel at first appeared to be aground approximately half a nautical mile off-shore on soft sand after being driven ashore by up to 45 knot gusting Westerly winds and 5 metre swells after her anchor snapped and the salvage vessel Smit Amandla was dispatched to evaluate the situation while her crew remained on-board in no immediate and imminent danger.
"NSRI commanders, a Metro Rescue JOCC (Joint Operations Command Centre), SA Police Services and the ships agent from GAC Shipping were dispatched to set up a command post at the Blouberg beachfront.
"At approximately midnight, with waves crashing over the bow of the casualty ship, and while she rolled and listed in the rising tide, it is suspected her hull was holed and after her engine room flooded and water rose inside the ship her Captain sent out a Mayday to abandon ship.
"NSRI Table Bay dispatched our rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom and NSRI Melkbosstrand dispatched their rescue craft Spirit of Rotary - Blouberg. An NSRI Air Sea Rescue Team (ASR) South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx helicopter was placed on high alert. NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Hout Bay were placed on high alert. The Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services, ER-24 ambulance services, EMT (Emergency Medical Training) paramedics, The Police Dive Unit, Customs Officials, Metro Police and Cape Town Traffic Services responded to the scene.
"On the rescue crafts arrival on-scene attempts were investigated to have the crew climb down their Jacobs Ladder but with the 5 metre breaking swells and strong winds the task was deemed to be life threatening to the crew and was aborted.
"The ASR SAAF Oryx helicopter was scrambled to effect a helicopter winch evacuation of the crew.
"While waiting for the helicopter the casualty ship appeared to be turned broadside to the beach, by the incoming waves and wind, and the NSRI coxswains on the two rescue craft (on the scene) spotted an opportunity on the lee side of the ship and NSRI rescue swimmer Kobus Meyer was put up against the rolling ship from Spirit of Rotary - Blouberg and Kobus climbed the ships Jacobs Ladder and found the 25 crew in life-jackets and anxious to abandon ship.
"Kobus coached the crew, one by one, to go over the side of the ship each climbing down the Jacobs Ladder and Ian Gross, our NSRI Table Bay deputy station commander, at the helm of Spirit of Vodacom, brought the 12 metre rescue craft alongside the ship, sheltered by the lee, and the crew climbed safely down the side of the ship, on their Jacobs Ladder, and onto the waiting rescue vessel.
"Initially 7 crew were rescued safely before pounding waves caused a suspension in the rescue effort but again an opportunity presented itself to get the rescue craft safely alongside the ship and a further 10 crew were brought safely down the side of the ships Jacobs Ladder onto the waiting rescue craft.
"Conditions again prevented the remaining 8 crew and Kobus Meyer from being brought off the ship and conditions worsened, due to the lie of the ship, and it was decided that the remaining 8 crew would be hoisted off the ship by the helicopter.
"However, in a last ditch attempt by Ian Gross, the Spirit of Vodacom was again brought alongside the ship, and Kobus coached the final 8 crew off the deck, down the Jacobs Ladder and safely into the hands of the rescue vessel.
"The helicopter was stood down as not required prior to it arriving on-scene and by 01h42 all crew were safely aboard the NSRI's Spirit of Vodacom rescue vessel.
"The crew were brought to the NSRI Table Bay rescue base where their conditions were assessed by Metro paramedics and only one man was treated for mild hypothermia but required no further assistance following treatment.
"No injuries were sustained during the rescue.
"The crew are in the custody of Port and Customs Authorities.
"The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Marine and Coastal Management are evaluating the grounded vessel and the salvage tug Smit Amandla remains on-scene.
"A Police Dive Unit remain on scene.
"Motorists are urged not to stop on the beachfront road and motorists are urged to exercise caution along the beachfront road in Blouberg to avoid traffic incidents as it is expected that a crowd will gather during today to gawk at the grounded ship."
Released by:
Craig Lambinon
NSRI Communications
0823803800
lambinon@mweb.co.za
Created: 08 September 2009 [Community Affairs]