Shivering, their faces strained from fatigue, they seemed unsure as to what the reception would be after they had just been picked up by helicopter - Knysna NSRI having fought relentlessly for hours to rescue the 19 crew members of the predominantly German-owned cargo vessel. The Kiani Satu was transporting 15 000 tons of rice from Vietnam to Ghana when it apparently got into trouble near the Goukamma coastline close to Buffalo Bay. The exact source of what went wrong is still under investigation. The ship also carries heavy fuel and gas oil.
"We got into problems yesterday (Wednesday August 7) and tried all night to make it right, but in the dark hours of the early morning I thought the ship would break in pieces on the rocks and that I would never see my wife again," Subdiaga explains in broken English. Sitting for a moment alone in the second ambulance, waiting for the next ten members of his fellow crew members to be ferried across the lagoon, Subdiaga was once again overcome with emotion and gratitude.
"I have never been to South Africa. Only Nigeria in 2010. I have been on the sea for twelve years and never such a thing has happened to me. It is very good to be here. We are safe. Thank you."
The crew consisted mainly of Phillopino's, two from the Ukraine, Subdiaga from Venezuela and a Montenegron captain.
Once the men had made it safely to shore after their helicopter rescue, they were still some distance away from where paramedics could attend to them. NSRI handed them over to CapeNature who brought them over the Goukamma lagoon with a ferry. As soon as the crew, who had never dreamt they would find themselves in a battle for survival on the South African coast, came close enough to shore to see the welcoming faces of the CapeNature staff and the paramedics, their whole demeanour changed instantly and they waved timidly as they embarked.
On this side of the ferry ambulances stood ready to transport them to CapeNature's hut where a crowd of friendly officials from Goukamma rangers, a SANparks official and a score of Knysna Municipality, police and traffic officials were ready to receive them with warm blankets and hot beverages. Luckily no one had been seriously injured and only one Kiani Satu crew member had sustained a cut to his hand.
According to Captain Nigel Campbell, regional manager of the Southern Region of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), efforts to float the Kiani Satu off the rocks on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning failed because the swell wasn't high enough. (SAMSA is responsible for the investigation into the matter and the removal of the vessel.)
"The good news is that we have managed to swing the cargo ship with 45 degrees which means it is no longer parallel to the beach. This is very important because it gives our tug boat (Smit Amandla) more power to pull. The wind, which had previously pushed the ship against the beach is now also on the other side," reported Campbell yesterday morning. (Wednesday August 14.)
In the meantime SAMSA has also managed to pump 750 tons of seawater out of the ship during Tuesday night, making it considerably lighter for their next attempt at getting the Kiani Satu off the rocks.
The maritime experts for SAMSA are also sourcing for plastic tanks to maybe pump the oil into such containers and then airlift those from the deck. "That will take 50 flights of our Russian helicopter which is the only one strong enough to take three tons at a time," explained Campbell who had been working nonstop for six days with his team to salvage the sitation. On Wednesday he estimated that 35 tons of oil had already spilled into the ocean.
"One has to remember the oil is now cooled off and almost like tar."
They have also managed to pump an extensive amount of oil from the damaged tank into a higher, secure tank on board the cargo vessel.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and SANParks' role is to ensure the oil spillage doesn’t get to the Swartvlei and Knysna estuary. Efforts to boom off strategic points have been underway since last Thursday. According to SANparks no oil spillage in the Knysna and Swartvlei areas have yet been reported, although a few birds have been found with oil. Knysna Law Enforcement and the Green Scorpions have been deployed in Goukamma to stop any illegal entries into the area.
"I want to applaud all the various departments, organisations and groups of Knysna working so well together! Lauren Waring, Municipal Manager of Knysna Municipality, has been an absolute star! There are 332 people working together on this rescue mission at the moment and many volunteering to help. This is outstanding and everyone cooperation is impressive, showing we are all on the same page!" said Campbell.
The first nine crew members of the Kiani Satu arrive on the ferry at Goukamma after being rescued with the efforts of the Knysna NSRI and airlifted by helicopter. In front is a soaking wet Alexander Makaro of Ukraine. Photo: Anoeschka von Meck.
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK
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