MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The owner of the boat that was left stranded on Santos Beach for more than two weeks, Wild Cat, has demanded answers as to why it ended up on the beach in the first place.
The owner, who provided a breakdown to Mossel Bay Advertiser of the events leading up to the stranding, alleges that the boat was unnecessarily moved from its mooring inside the harbour and expects an explanation of the reasons.
Last-minute notice
The Wild Cat washed ashore after it broke away from its mooring outside the Port of Mossel Bay.
According to the owner, who has asked not to be identified, the Wild Cat had previously suffered mechanical problems and was permitted to remain berthed in the harbour until 31 July, while arrangements were being discussed for its relocation and further inspections and repairs.
He says that on Tuesday 28 July, a port official sent a voice note in Afrikaans, informing him that the boat had to be removed by the end of that day.
As the owner does not live in the Mossel Bay area and says he did not understand the Afrikaans, he forwarded the message to the person who has been acting as the Wild Cat's caretaker.
He alleges that the notice gave them less than 24 hours to remove the boat, and that this was earlier than the previously agreed-upon 31 July deadline.
According to the owner, the message indicated that the berth was required urgently by its owners and that the port would move the Wild Cat out of the har-bour at the owner's expense if he did not remove it himself.
He says the Wild Cat was subsequently moved to a swing mooring outside the harbour later that day.
According to him, adverse weather conditions then caused the vessel to break away from its mooring and wash ashore at Santos Beach.
Tardy salvage efforts
He further alleges that the Transnet Port Authority informed them that a tug would be used to assist in recovering the vessel, but says more than a week passed before any apparent salvage efforts were made.
"The incident has left me distressed and questioning why the vessel was moved from the harbour when, according to the caretaker, space was still available at the port."
The owner says the caretaker subsequently visited the port property and allegedly found that the original berth was still vacant.
"I am at a loss to understand the logic regarding what led to this unnecessary catastrophe, and I hope to receive some form of validated explanation soon," the owner said.
Enquiries
The Advertiser has sent enquiries to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) regarding the circumstances surrounding the vessel's removal from the harbour, its subsequent grounding and the salvage operation.
The Advertiser will publish further infor-mation once responses have been received from the relevant authorities.
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