Total of 24000 litres of fuel removed from Elke M boat

  Article edited by Bev Mortimer. Photos: Barry Culligan and Richard Pike  

Monday 15 January 2024 – A total total amount of 24 000 litres of fuel was removed from the grounded fishing vessel, ‘Elke M’, in favourable weather and sea conditions this past weekend, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said in a press release this evening.

“The removal of the remaining fuel, together with non-oil pollutants, remains the priority of the operational team.

“A helicopter continues to assist operations and fuel is removed in bulk IBC containers and landed at a demarcated landing site for transfer to road tankers. Fishing nets, crates and other debris is being recovered from the vessel and surrounds, and landed ashore,” SAMSA related.

SAMSA will continue monitoring the operation, working in collaboration with the Incident Management Structure (IMS). This includes Owners, the insurers (P&I Club), municipality officials, the NSRI, salvors AMSOL, environmental management organisations, and other relevant parties.

Pollutants and Wreck Removal Directives have been issued in terms of the Wreck & Salvage Act as well as the Marine Pollution (Control & Civil Liability) Act. Following the removal of all pollutants, it is expected the operation will focus on the next phase, which is wreck removal , and once a contractor has been appointed by Owners P&I Club, SAMSA added.

The grounded boat had 24 crew on board when she ran aground 1 mile from Port St Francis at 11.30 on 7 January at night. All crew members were brought to safety after they abandoned ship.

See previous two articles on the Elke:

https://stfrancischronicle.com/2024/01/07/fishing-trawler-runs-aground-at-shark-point-st-francis-crew-saf

https://stfrancischronicle.com/2024/01/12/st-francis-bay-progress-on-removing-pollutants-from-elke-m-boat/

https://stfrancischronicle.com/2024/01/13/removal-of-fuel-and-pollutants-from-grounded-st-francis-bay-boat-are-top-priority-samsa/

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