"Booms" put up to protect Knysna estuaries from oil leak

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Authorities worked around the clock to put up protection measures around the Goukamma and Swartvlei estuaries near Knysna.

This, after the stricken container vessel, Kiani Satu, began leaking oil after running aground last week.

The Department of Environmental Affairs, along with SanParks and Cape Nature, put up booms at the two estuaries to trap the oil.

"The team has boomed off the Goukamma estuary, which is on the east side of the grounded bulk carrier. The Swartvlei estuary, on the west side of the Kiani Satu, has also been partially closed and is being closely monitored for any oil pollution," the Department said in a statement.

"Reports from the Department's oil spill aerial surveillance aircraft, Kuswag 9 (K9), indicate that while light oil is visible on the beaches, most of the oil leaking from bulk carrier, is moving offshore away from the coast," it added.

"The K9 is currently stationed in George and is providing aerial monitoring twice daily.

The Kiani Satu, carrying 330 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 15 000 tonnes of rice, ran aground just west of Goukamma River estuary on Thursday last week.

All 19 crew have been evacuated.