Following the vessel's shipwreck, numerous efforts over several days to refloat the stranded cargo carrier were frustrated by low waves and inclement weather. She was finally refloated at about 11:30 on Saturday, August 17 when higher swells contributed to the tug boat, Smit Amandla's efforts to pull the vessel free from the shore.
Kiani Satu was initially pulled some ten nautical miles into the ocean to allow divers to assess the damage to the vessel. However, it soon became evident that she was taking in water at a very rapid pace. By Monday, August 19, in stormy seas and high wind conditions, it was clear that the Kiani Satu was doomed to sink. The salvage crew aboard the vessel were evacuated and the Smit Amandla was ordered to tow the ill-fated vessel as far as possible at best speed.
The Kiani Satu's final resting place is some 110 nautical miles South of Buffel's Bay in water 1 000m deep. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has assured the Goukama/ Buffel's Bay Joint Operation Centre (JOC) that this was very far away and very deep and posed no serious environmental risk to the South African coast.
According to Captain Nigel Campbell, regional manager of SAMSA, the oil and rice will remain secure in steel containers on the ship which will eventually rust and fall apart, but by then the oil will have broken down into particles and absorbed into the sea. Oil is after all organic. And the rice? "The fish may be having a sushi banquet in 30 years' time,” Campbell joked.
It has also been reported that, should it become necessary, a plan can be implemented to transfer oil from the sunken vessel to another ship. It is further understood that water temperatures at that depth are low enough to reduce the fluidity of the oil, thus reducing the chance of rapid leaking.
The Kiani Satu, which weighs 19 796 ton, belongs to a German company: Esmerelda Shipping and was on her way to Ghana before she met her demise. The ship was insured and the insurers have endeavoured to pay all the costs associated with the salvage operation, including the clean-up operation and rehabilitation of wildlife.
More than 350 people from some 20 organisations and stakeholders cooperated in a phenomenal effort to address the many issues caused by Kiani Satu's last days, sometimes in dismal weather. Working on Fire’s team leader Janine Muller says that everybody is exhausted, but happy that "everything worked out well". She says they have been sleeping in an old DR Church building for a couple of days because their tent was blown away by strong wind over the weekend, but since then they have been sorted out.
Everybody involved praised the coordinated and committed effort under trying conditions of all parties.
While the JOC, which coordinated land-based operations, was dissolved on Tuesday, August 20 cleaning operations continue. This and related operations and coordination have been handed over to CapeNature, the custodians of the Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area.
Marietjie Engelbrecht, spokesperson for CapeNature, says, "The true impact will only be established after scientific monitoring and evaluation have taken place,” Engelbrecht says. “A service provider is appointed to do a base study within the Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area. This will give them a clear indication of how much damage and restoration needs to be done after the clean-up period. Given the high wave action along our coast, and the dynamic nature of our beaches, we expect a full and speedy recovery from the oil spill.”
A sand berm remains in place between the sea and the Goukamma River until clean-up in the estuary has been completed. The Department of Environmental Affairs will continue to monitor the environmental impacts and related operations as long as it remains necessary.
According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, intensive assessment of the oil impacts at Goukamma Beach on Monday has found that the natural cleaning processes of the sea has assisted significantly in removing oil from the beach. In most cases, only patches of tar crumbs remain on the edges of the tidal zone. More rough seas were expected yesterday (Wednesday, August 21) and it was anticipated that this could further lessen the impact. Any remaining ‘crumbs’ will be swept, placed into bags and removed for disposal. Trained clean-up teams of about 40 at a time will be active in the reserve for another few weeks. The Knysna Municipality will assist with traffic control on the Buffel's Bay road near the clean-up operations. The public is requested to drive slowly and carefully in the vicinity of coned-off areas.
The Goukamma Nature Reserve and Protected Area is open to the public and for accommodation bookings. CapeNature has requested that the public be aware of the clean-up still happening inside the reserve and to respect any possible restrictions of movement that it may imply.
The Department Environmental Affairs also continues to monitor the coastline as part of its usual operations.
It should be noted that no oil has been reported in the water since Wednesday, August 14 and the Garden Route coast is no longer threatened by oil. The booms in the Knysna and Swartvlei Estuaries, which had been placed as precautionary measures, were removed on Monday. The sand berm in Swartvlei has been skimmed to allow nature to take its course.
People are also reminded that dead or oil-affected birds washing out on the beach is not necessarily an indication that there is still oil in the water, but rather that the birds had come into contact with oil. Birds can in fact wash out for up to a month after they have been exposed to oil.
Knysna Municipal Manager Lauren Waring said, "Please be assured that it is not a case of 'out of sight out of mind' now that the ship has gone. Several key environmental and governmental roleplayers remain an active part of monitoring and clean-up."
She further said, “The JOC again thanks all members of the public for the co-operation and support that you have given to all efforts and people on the ground. We are as relieved as you are that the ship is gone, but will continue to work towards the very best outcome for our coast, our environment and our people. The Knysna Municipality thanks all members of this joint operation for their commitment, efficiency and brilliant attitude. The successful removal of this ship under very strenuous circumstances has saved our coastline from impacts beyond the obvious. This region’s economy is hugely dependent on its environment and related tourism, and in effect the joint efforts of this JOC have not only saved the environment but also our economy."
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The man at the centre of the salvage operation of the cargo vessel, the Kiani Satu, Captain Nigel Campbell, SAMSA manager in the Southern region with 42 years of maritime experience. "When we eventually got her off the rocks on Saturday morning, I was so elated, I could hardly think straight!" he said at the Knysna Waterfront. (Photo: Anoeschka von Meck.)
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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