Oil leak detected on stricken vessel between Knysna and Sedgefield
01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author
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The SA Maritime Safety Authority is keeping an eye on the stricken vessel, Kianu Satu, which ran aground between Sedgefield and Knysna.
They told the public broadcaster on Saturday that there is a small oil leak in the engine room.
Spokesperson Nigel Cambell says they have closed the Goukamma and Swartvlei river mouths with sand.
Samsa is preparing to tow the ship to Cape Town.
The vessel carrying tons of rice experienced mechanical trouble in the early hours of Thursday morning. Nineteen crew members were safely evacuated.
The ship, carrying tons of rice, heavy fuel and gas oil, ran aground on Thursday. Campbell said on Saturday that an aircraft would be deployed over the site to monitor the pollution.
"We are deploying teams to the beach to pick up any oil that would land on the beach," he said.
