CAPE TOWN - The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) and other role-players continue to monitor and investigate the oil spill in Algoa Bay, with at least four oiled birds captured and being cared for.
This as the NS Qingdao, which was on anchorage in St Helena Bay where she was towed after her chemical cargo became unstable due to contact with rain, has been instructed to move further offshore as a precautionary measure.
Samsa said they, along with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), continued to monitor and investigate an oil spill that occurred during a vessel bunkering operation on November 17 in Algoa Bay.
“To date, a small amount of emulsified heavy fuel oil, commonly known as tar balls, has washed ashore along the beach between Hougham Park and Sundays River. A service provider has been appointed to remove the tar balls, samples were collected and submitted to Samsa to determine if the oil is from this incident,” Samsa said.
To date four birds – three Cape Gannets and one African Penguin – were found to be contaminated by oil and have been captured and are being cared for by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob).
“The beaches and islands are being monitored daily when weather permits for any additional oil/tar balls or oiled wildlife,” Samsa said.
The vessel Insurer is also providing a “Letter of Undertaking” to cover the costs of the clean-up operation and the vessel should be released soon.
On the status of the NS Qingdao, which started releasing toxic fumes when it came into contact with rain water while discharging cargo in the port of Durban, Samsa said the vessel had been instructed to move further away from St Helena, as a precautionary measure.
“Due to the wind and recent rains in St Helena, the cargo holds of the NS Qingdao were closed to prevent further incidents and she was instructed to sail 20 nautical miles offshore from St Helena as a precautionary measure.
“The aim is to open and ventilate the cargo hold offshore due to the excess build-up of toxic fumes in the hold. Once the hold is properly ventilated, the vessel will return to St Helena to continue the discharge operation,” Samsa said.
She is being escorted by the tugs Umkhuseli and SA Amandla.
Cape Times