|
|
|
|
|
20 October 2023
|
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue crews assist with smouldering cargo on board ship
The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue crews are assisting with smouldering cargo on board a cargo ship in its harbour. “The vessel, the Batavia Express, is currently in G Berth where the cargo is being salvaged. This is the same vessel affected by fire last month. City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service in conjunction with Smit Salvage and a fire crew from the Netherlands, assisted the company in removing the eucalyptus paper bales from the cargo hull”, said Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service.
Carelse added, “The damaged products was first extinguished at quay side and then transported to Vissershok Landfill Site. The salvaged cargo was first inspected and then transported to Paarden Island to a facility for temporary storage. This operation was initiated on Saturday, 14 October 2023 and is envisaged to be completed by Friday, 20 October 2023.”
“At this stage the incident is under control and assistance from the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service (several crews) will be provided until such time the vessel leaves the harbour. Currently the Fire Service is extinguishing the cargo that is still smouldering in the hold”, said Carelse.
“Crews are being rotated at an eight-hourly basis; various crews have been on site as from Saturday, 14 October 2023. A total of 47 resources have been deployed to date, including crews from Roeland Street, Salt River, Wynberg, Sea Point, Goodwood, Fish Hoek, Ottery, etc.
Active firefighting is still in progress and damages are to the cargo itself.
Challenges faced: “It is a slow process and various equipment are being used to enable the cargo to be lifted from the vessel and brought to quayside. The amount of cargo is far over 50 000 ton and to reach the seat of the fire all the cargo must be removed and then separated”, said Carelse.
Source: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
Carelse added, “The damaged products was first extinguished at quay side and then transported to Vissershok Landfill Site. The salvaged cargo was first inspected and then transported to Paarden Island to a facility for temporary storage. This operation was initiated on Saturday, 14 October 2023 and is envisaged to be completed by Friday, 20 October 2023.”
“At this stage the incident is under control and assistance from the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service (several crews) will be provided until such time the vessel leaves the harbour. Currently the Fire Service is extinguishing the cargo that is still smouldering in the hold”, said Carelse.
“Crews are being rotated at an eight-hourly basis; various crews have been on site as from Saturday, 14 October 2023. A total of 47 resources have been deployed to date, including crews from Roeland Street, Salt River, Wynberg, Sea Point, Goodwood, Fish Hoek, Ottery, etc.
Active firefighting is still in progress and damages are to the cargo itself.
Challenges faced: “It is a slow process and various equipment are being used to enable the cargo to be lifted from the vessel and brought to quayside. The amount of cargo is far over 50 000 ton and to reach the seat of the fire all the cargo must be removed and then separated”, said Carelse.
Source: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
