ACCESS to beaches at Scarborough outside Cape Town where the 10000-ton Singapore-registered cargo ship, the Ikan Tanda ran aground on Wednesday, was being controlled by emergency services. The cargo ship was carrying 15 000 tons of potassium nitrate — fertiliser — a hazardous substance which could pose a threat to people and the environment under adverse conditions. The Ikan Tanda ran aground when she suffered engine failure during the height of the storm which hit the Cape Peninsula. Eighteen crew members were airlifted to safety by an SA Air Force Oryx helicopter. Five crewmen including the ship’s master remained on the vessel to assist salvors. Salvage company Smit Pentow Marine — contracted by the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) sees the threat of oil pollution as their main priority. All parties involved in oil spills were on standby. – Sapa