Navy steps in to save you millions

The South African Navy has just saved you millions of rands.

Just as the Department of Transport was about to pay between R30-million and R40-million for the dismantling of what is left of a Turkish vessel that ran aground in Table Bay in 2009, the navy stepped in.

The absence of watertight maritime legislation led to years of head-butting about who was responsible for disposing of the Seli 1, which spilled oil and contaminated marine life.

The vessel's owners and crew jumped ship and made it South Africa's problem.

JP Smith, responsible for safety and security in Cape Town, said the navy would weaken the structure which, with the help of the "ocean forces", would collapse it onto the sea bed.

Work started after all stakeholders agreed on "wreck reduction".

"We got all to agree to a plan and the Department of Transport agreed to pay," said Smith.

"Before they could go through the procurement process, the navy stepped in and said they would treat it as a training exercise and do the wreck reduction.

"Normally, the cavalry comes charging in on horseback but this time they sailed in."

There is still diesel, coal and oil on board.

"Remedial and protective measures are being put in place to manage and mitigate the release of oils and pollutants, and the impact of this on the coastline and marine life," a statement issued by the City of Cape Town said.

Graham Bradfield, of the University of Cape Town's shipping law unit, said the Seli 1 exposed "two deficiencies in South African maritime legislation" - wreck removal, and the costs of clearing, and compensation for, oil pollution.

"The minister of transport has extensive powers to direct the owners of a wrecked ship to arrange for its removal. If the owners fail to comply with such directions, as was the case with the Seli 1, whose owners abandoned it, the minister may have the wreck removed and claim the cost from the owner," said Bradfield.

The Seli 1 did not have protection and indemnity cover for liability for wreck-removal costs.