Salvage of stricken boat starts

A TEAM of expert salvage engineers from Japan’s Nippon Salvage Company, as well as a special salvage tug from Cape Town, the SA Amandla, arrived at Walvis Bay on Saturday, and are currently preparing for a major salvage operation of the Japanese fishing vessel, the Fukuseki Maru.

The Fukuseki ran aground just south of the Ugab River mouth early on Thursday morning. The vessel, which was built in 1996, is about 50 metres long and weighs about 380 tonnes.

On Saturday, eleven of the 24 crew members were evacuated by a Bay Air helicopter, based at Walvis Bay. The rest of the crew were left to maintain operations on board and assist with the salvage process.

Besides a damaged lower fuel tank, which is leaking diesel, most of the vessel’s mechanics are still intact. Even the fridges holding the cargo, believed to be tuna caught in Angolan waters, are still working. The vessel was en route to Walvis Bay before the accident.

Bay Air’s Frank Stein yesterday told The Namibian that all those evacuated were healthy, and did not require emergency medical attention. He explained that the helicopter had to hover over the vessel, and that one crew member at a time was lifted from the deck.

“We could not land on the vessel, so we lifted one person at a time. We could take five into the helicopter and drop them on shore before going back for more. It was not easy in the sense that they could not speak English, but we were able to bring them to safety nonetheless,” explained Stein.

Bay Air will be responsible for the air-ferrying of services and manpower during the salvage. A salvage base is expected to be erected in the vicinity of Cape Cross.

The vessel was still moving on the rock it landed on.

A source in the works and transport ministry confirmed that salvage operations were kick-started on Saturday when the “formidable” group of Nippon met government and industry representatives to consult over the salvage plan.

The Namibian understands that one of government’s criteria was that as many local manpower, services and products be included in the operation as possible.

The source gave the assurance that although some crew members were evacuated, those remaining were in no immediate danger, and will enjoy assistance. Although the vessel was leaking fuel, this is considered a lighter type which nature will disperse soon.

“Nevertheless, it is fuel, and does not belong in the environment. So, the salvage team is quite aware of government’s expectation to ensure that any further pollution is contained and stopped,” the source stressed.

Although the Japanese experts are evaluating the best option, one of the first options will be to refloat the vessel, and the cargo might have to be offloaded to lighten the vessel to be pulled from the rock bed by SA Amandla.

“The vessel is still in good condition, and fairly new. If we can refloat it, we can bring it to Walvis Bay for repairs. It would be a pity if it becomes a loss out there,” the source stated.

Calls to the ministry’s spokesperson, Julius Ngweda, were unsuccessful, but it is understood an official statement from the ministry will be released soon.

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