The sea claims back Mile 14

MAJOR sections of the popular Mile 14 campsite north of Swakopmund have been destroyed by rough seas, forcing Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) to close the site.

According to Coastal Manager for NWR, Francois Schneider, the condition of the site poses a danger to campers. The closure comes shortly before the December holiday season – a time when Mile 14 is usually packed with campers.Over the years, the springtides have systematically claimed portions of the beach along the camping area.Now, the rough seas are starting to break up and claim portions of the campsites.Concrete site indicator and large concrete braai slabs, and even entire toilet cabins, are being torn down by the waves and dragged into the ocean.Schneider said about 90 per cent of the two-kilometre-long camping area has become unsafe for campers.”The sea does not just come up to the campsites; in many places it even crosses the sites.Campers will, at least, lose their belongings, if they themselves are not by chance dragged into the water during rough seas that are becoming more frequent,” Schneider explained.”We’re not prepared to take that risk.”According to him, Mile 14 will be closed for at least the next six months, but it will still be open for day visitors.He said all those who have booked sites for the coming holidays will be contacted and given the option to be relocated to another NWR camping site during the time, such as Jakkalsputz, Mile 72 or Mile 108, or cancel their bookings and be refunded.The destruction comes at an opportune time for NWR, though.Schneider told The Namibian that Mile 14 was part of NWR’s private partnership programme, and that the closure will allow it to go ahead with this plan.He said private investors would now have the opportunity to make proposals on how they would like to transform Mile 14 and make it a lucrative enterprise.He said similar programmes are envisaged for sites like Mile 72 and Jakkalsputz.Good news for day visitors is that they will no longer have to pay entrance fees at Mile 14 from December 1.Anglers objected when the fees were introduced two years ago.The closure comes shortly before the December holiday season – a time when Mile 14 is usually packed with campers.Over the years, the springtides have systematically claimed portions of the beach along the camping area.Now, the rough seas are starting to break up and claim portions of the campsites.Concrete site indicator and large concrete braai slabs, and even entire toilet cabins, are being torn down by the waves and dragged into the ocean.Schneider said about 90 per cent of the two-kilometre-long camping area has become unsafe for campers.”The sea does not just come up to the campsites; in many places it even crosses the sites.Campers will, at least, lose their belongings, if they themselves are not by chance dragged into the water during rough seas that are becoming more frequent,” Schneider explained.”We’re not prepared to take that risk.”According to him, Mile 14 will be closed for at least the next six months, but it will still be open for day visitors.He said all those who have booked sites for the coming holidays will be contacted and given the option to be relocated to another NWR camping site during the time, such as Jakkalsputz, Mile 72 or Mile 108, or cancel their bookings and be refunded.The destruction comes at an opportune time for NWR, though.Schneider told The Namibian that Mile 14 was part of NWR’s private partnership programme, and that the closure will allow it to go ahead with this plan.He said private investors would now have the opportunity to make proposals on how they would like to transform Mile 14 and make it a lucrative enterprise.He said similar programmes are envisaged for sites like Mile 72 and Jakkalsputz.Good news for day visitors is that they will no longer have to pay entrance fees at Mile 14 from December 1.Anglers objected when the fees were introduced two years ago.