Estuaries Close as Knysna Awaits Oil-Spill Cleanup

Hey there! I wanted to share some news with you. So, there’s this cargo ship called the Kiani Satu near the coast of Knysna, and it has a leaking tank that’s spilling oil into the sea. Yikes! But don’t worry, a team of marine salvors is working nonstop to fix the issue. The plan is to pump the fuel from the Kiani Satu into another ship and then tow it away.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) spokesman, Captain Nigel Campbell, explained that they’re going to keep trying to get the ship floating for the next few days. After that, they’ll figure out if they can take it to port or if they’ll have to sink it in really deep water. It’s a tough situation, but they’re doing their best to sort it out.

Meanwhile, we have an important update from the Department of Environmental Affairs. Their Oil Response Team is currently working with the Knysna Municipality, SanParks, and CapeNature to protect the area and clean up the oil spill. They have set up booms around the Goukamma estuary, which is on the east side of the ship. The Swartvlei estuary on the west side of the Kiani Satu has also been partially closed and is being carefully watched for any signs of oil pollution. This collaborative effort is aimed at minimizing the environmental impact and ensuring the safety of the affected areas.

Hey there! I wanted to provide you with an update on the situation regarding the oil leak from the bulk carrier. The department shared some information from its aerial surveillance team aircraft, Kuswag 9 (K9), which is currently stationed in George. They mentioned that even though there is some light oil visible on the beaches, the majority of the leaked oil is actually moving away from the coast towards offshore areas. So that’s a bit of a relief!

Now, when it comes to the Goukamma Nature Reserve, I’m happy to tell you that no environmental damage has been reported so far. That’s great news for the reserve and its beautiful surroundings!

Hey there, let me tell you a story about the Kiani Satu. See, this ship got into some real trouble off the coast of Knysna. It ran aground on Buffels Bay, and to make matters worse, it ended up spilling over three tons of oil into the beautiful Goukamma Nature Reserve. Sad, right?

The Kiani Satu’s Engine Problems

The SAMSA team faced several challenges while trying to stop more oil from spilling. The turbulent sea made it unsafe to weld underwater, and getting heavy equipment to the ship was difficult as it couldn’t be accessed easily. Since there was no electricity on board, everything had to be moved by hand. Despite these obstacles, clean-up operations resumed this morning, as reported by E News Channel.

SAMSA confirmed that the ship owner’s insurance will pay for the operations. Campbell, a spokesperson for SAMSA, assured that the ship’s owners are responsible and have comprehensive insurance coverage. They have even brought in experts from around the world to assist in the efforts. Campbell expressed confidence that the financial commitments will be met and that the state will not incur any costs in this endeavor.

Unfortunately, there is another setback.

Guess what? Another oil spill has happened! This time it’s in the Goukamma estuary. Can you believe it? It’s like the government can’t catch a break. They were just trying to clean up the mess from the Seli 1 oil spill, and now they have to deal with this one too.

Remember the Seli 1? Yeah, it was a Turkish ship that ran aground near Bloubergstrand way back in 2009. Can you imagine? It was still leaking fuel until just recently. It’s crazy to think that an oil spill can last that long.

The government even set aside R40 million to salvage the wreck of the Seli 1. They started blasting operations earlier this year to try and break it up. But now they have to shift their focus to the Goukamma estuary.

I gotta say, it’s really important for the government to take care of these oil spills. They’re not good for the environment at all. They can cause a lot of damage to plants and animals, and it takes a long time for things to recover.

So, what can we do to help? Well, first of all, we need to make sure everyone knows about these oil spills. The more people that are aware, the better chance we have of getting them cleaned up quickly.

And if you live near the Goukamma estuary or any other affected area, you can help by volunteering. I know it might not be the most glamorous job, but every little bit helps. Plus, you’ll be making a real difference in your community.

Overall, it’s up to all of us to protect our environment. We can’t just rely on the government to fix everything. We need to do our part too. So, let’s spread the word and pitch in where we can. Together, we can make a difference.

The Goukamma Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area can be found near Buffels Bay, just west of Knysna. This marvelous piece of land spans 2,500 hectares and stretches across 14 kilometers of the Knysna coastline. It is home to a wide range of wildlife species, such as Grysbok, bushbuck, bushpic, and honey badgers. The skies above are filled with the vibrant wings of birds, including the exquisite Knysna loerie. Nearby, the Protected Marine Area embraces 1.8 kilometers of the Knysna coastline and occasionally provides a safe haven for the endangered African penguin. This incredible habitat has been blessed with over 220 different bird species, including the rare African black oystercatcher. Unfortunately, if we don’t take immediate action to curb potential oil spills, this precious ecosystem will face a grave environmental crisis.