NATIONAL NEWS - Government has reported significant progress in clearing sunken and abandoned vessels from Western Cape harbours.

“The removal of these wrecks is a critical step in addressing the environmental and safety risks posed by sunken and abandoned vessels, which constitute approximately 90% of such wrecks in Hout Bay Harbour,” the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George said on Tuesday. 

By clearing these vessels, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) is creating additional mooring and berthing space, responding to numerous requests from the fishing industry for access to these facilities. 

This development is expected to stimulate economic activity, including increased demand for vessel building and job creation in coastal communities.

These efforts are part of the DFFE ongoing revitalisation of the Proclaimed Fishing Harbours located in Lamberts Bay, St Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay, Hout Bay, and Gordon’s Bay.

A total of 37 vessels has been identified in these five harbours, comprising 17 abandoned vessels and 20 sunken vessels. To date, six vessels have been attended to or removed by their owners at their own cost, leaving 31 vessels remaining. 

Of these, 17 vessels—most of which are small leisure boats in Hout Bay Harbour—are expected to be removed through lifting and cutting operations before the end of 2025.

“The successful progress in removing sunken and abandoned vessels across our Western Cape harbours is a testament to our dedication to ensuring safe and sustainable fishing harbours. These efforts not only mitigate environmental and navigational risks but also create opportunities for economic growth by freeing up valuable mooring space,” the Minister said.

In Hout Bay, which accounts for the majority of the remaining vessels (25 identified, with 23 still to be addressed and 10 slated for lifting), the salvage operation for the vessels Edelweiss and African Unity has been underway for the past five days.

Despite initial plans to complete the removal within three days, the complexity of the operation, including the discovery of an additional unidentified vessel beneath one of the wrecks, has extended the timeline.

Collaboration

The DFFE, in collaboration with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), have expressed thier commitment to overseeing the completion of these operations in accordance with the Wreck and Salvage Act (Act No. 94 of 1996). 

SAMSA will continue to issue directives to vessel owners where necessary to facilitate removals.

“The collaborative efforts of our teams, SAMSA, and vessel owners are driving transformative change in our fishing harbours. We are committed to sustaining this momentum to ensure our harbours remain safe, functional, and economically vibrant,” the Minister said.

Teams have successfully pumped water from the vessels, and a team of divers is actively sealing identified holes to ensure the vessels can be safely floated and moved for salvaging. 

Additional vessels in Hout Bay, such as Merlin, Blue Boat, and Spes Nova, are scheduled for removal by the end of October, while others like Grant and another Spes Nova are targeted for the end of December. 

Several abandoned vessels, including SA 4256, C.Bull, Nico’s, Roly Poly, Royal Duke, Brilliant, Lucky Too, Teal, and two dinghies, are under discussion for lifting with a crane by November 2025. 

The owner of the White Boat has committed to repairing it and donating it to Small Scale Fisheries Co-Operatives.

In other harbours:

• Gordon’s Bay (4 vessels identified, 1 remaining): The sunken Dolphin is set for removal by a diving school as part of a training programme, with a date to be confirmed by the end of October 2025. The abandoned vessels Sea Quest, Feelin Naughty, and Illusions – 29504 are also noted.
• Lamberts Bay (2 vessels identified, 1 to be removed): The sunken Getruide ADF 549 and abandoned James Archer are pending, with SAMSA to issue a directive for Getruide ADF 549.
• St Helena Bay (2 vessels identified, 2 to be removed): The sunken Arizon II and Anna SH1451P are pending SAMSA directives.
• Saldanha Bay (4 vessels identified, 4 to be removed): The sunken Benguela Pride 350390, Petrie Hein –350553, OosterDAM 350481, and Angie V are pending SAMSA directives.

In May the Minister called for the urgent removal of wrecked and abandoned vessels that pose significant risks to navigation, marine ecosystems, and the safety of coastal communities. -SAnews.gov.za 

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