The pumping of fuel from the Sealand Express, which ran aground earlier this week in the Cape, was going well, the joint operations committee set up to deal with the stranding said on Friday afternoon.
The ship-to-ship transfer, aimed at lightening the vessel for another refloating attempt, began at midnight on Thursday.
”The salvage team on board the casualty report that the fuel-removal operation is proceeding well with pumping rates of 50 tonnes per hour being achieved,” the committee said in a statement.
”Oil is being pumped out of those tanks considered to be most at risk of being breached should the vessel’s structural condition change.
”It is expected that the team will be able to make good use of the fine weather being experienced at present.”
A chemical engineer had assessed the risk posed by the cargo — classed as hazardous — and confirmed that salvage personnel and crew on board, as well as members of the public, were under no direct threat.
Contingency plans for the removal of that cargo were being put in place.
The Sealand Express, which grounded on Tuesday after dragging her anchor in foul weather, is resting in a sandy gully about 200
metres from the beach.
The committee includes representatives of the vessel’s operators, the South African Maritime Safety Authority, salvors Smit Marine, the Western Cape provincial government and the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds.
Friday’s statement also urged members of the public to limit their sightseeing activities to the beach at the weekend.
”Surfers, canoeists and other recreational boating and sports people are kindly requested to stay well away from the area of operation so as not to jeopardise the ship-to-ship transfer or their own safety.
”This request is extended to aerial enthusiasts, including those using helicopters and micro-lights, whose presence may jeopardise the safe operation of the salvage team’s helicopter.” — Sapa