MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A boat owner, who regularly launches from the old Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club slipway, asked the Mossel Bay Advertiser to pose these questions and complaints to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).
They are relevant to other boat owners and those interested in the future of the club building.
The gate to the yacht club is locked and boat owners must pay about R600 for a six-month permit to launch their boats from the yacht club area.
When not in use, all Transnet property access control is managed professionally to provide safety and security of the premises, assets and TNPA customers.
All permits charged to port users are as per the Port Tariff book, determined by the Ports regulator.
Port users who don't have the required permits are in contravention of the Ports Act and Port rules. Therefore as per Port rules they are not allowed to utilise Port facilities. For a seamless process, interested Port users can contact our Port Permit office on 044 604 6219 to apply for a permit, and Port control (044 604 6271), when they need to book or use the Port of Mossel Bay slipway.
Every time I try to enter, there is tons of paperwork before the gate is opened, even though I show my permit at the gate.
All Transnet premises have a procedure to control and they manage access control as per ISPS code. The public and all Port users are required and expected to respect and comply with relevant Port rules and all security-related procedures, just as they would with any other public facility or business.
Your family cannot go in unless they are accompanying you on the boat.
TNPA manages its Port facilities at its discretion, like any business, and according to Port rules, and the Ports Act as per our mandate as the Port landlord.
What is TNPA doing to protect the building and area around it from vandals?
TNPA has 24-hour security and surveillance on its Port properties. TNPA also works with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the Port is crime free.
When will TNPA upgrade the entrance, parking area and the former yacht and boat club building?
TNPA is currently completing the road and parking in the recreational area of the Port. All Port developments will follow a phased approach. Once all due diligence is completed and funding is sourced and projects are approved, the relevant Port premises will be upgraded, improved and maintained as per the Ports Act and Port Development Framework Plan (PDFP).
What is TNPA doing to accommodate the Deepsea Fishing Club at the harbour and attend to the interests of the club?
All TNPA facilities and slipways are available/open to all Port users and interested parties, including deep sea anglers, subject to compliance with Port Licence requirements, Port Rules, the Port Act and Health, Environment and Safety rules, including the Lease Manual.
What is TNPA doing to prevent further destruction of the current facilities at the Yacht and Boat Club?
There is currently no destruction of current TNPA premises that we are aware of. If there is any, we trust that our tenants and the public will bring it to our attention, where we shall investigate accordingly. All TNPA facilities and assets are protected and managed in line with ISPS code.
TNPA also works with all relevant law enforcement agencies to protect company and customer assets from criminal elements. TNPA maintains and refurbishes all Port infrastructure as mandated by the Ports Act, subject to the availability and approval of budget and PDFP.
When will the tender process for hiring of the yacht and boat club premises start? When will an advert appear in the press?
Between 6 and 30 June 2022.
How long does the tender process take? On which date will the new tenants take occupancy?
The tender process will be outlined in the advert. The tenant/s will take occupancy subject to finalisation of negotiations between TNPA and the interested parties. The occupancy date will also be informed by the finalisation of the process as outlined. We shall issue a proactive news release to advise the public of the successful applicant/s. We can assure the public and all interested parties, TNPA is committed to concluding this process as soon as possible, and within the relevant legal framework.
Sithembiso Soyaya (044 604 6289 or 083 700 9907), Mossel Bay TNPA manager: corporate affairs and customer relations, invites members of the public and interested parties to contact him directly if they have any further queries.
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