Shipwrecks have to go

ALTHOUGH the shipwrecks along Namibia’s coast may be tourist attractions, those along the central coast are considered a liability to Government, and therefore have to be salvaged or dismantled.

During the past two years, two fishing vessels were wrecked along the coast.
The Kolmanskop ran aground on rocks just south of Swakopmund in 2006, while the Zeila was stranded north of Wlotzkasbaken in August last year.
These two wrecks became tourist attractions for a short while only, said the Director of Environmental Affairs, Theo Nghitila, at a recent meeting of environmental authorities and the tourism industry at Long Beach.
After consultation with the Ministry of Works and Transport, it was decided that the long-term liability for Government was a greater concern.
It was suggested that the vessels should be dismantled in order to relieve Government of the liability of injury and damage that may be caused; but also to avoid the accumulation of such wrecks along the coast.
The dismantling should be done while the owners of the vessels can still negotiate with the insurance companies.
‘In the short term, these wrecks may be tourist attractions; but in the long term, we might end with many wrecks literally being dumped along our coast; not only marring the environment, but also increasing the risks,’ Nghitila said.
Director of Maritime Affairs Matheus Nangolo told The Namibian that the matter was discussed with MET and the owners of the vessels.
‘We are acting in accordance with our laws, and are responsible for making sure these wrecks are not a danger to people, the coast and marine environment,’ he said.
According to him, any possibilities of injury, death, damage or pollution that may be caused by the wrecks should be eliminated.