MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Municipality has appealed to the public for their help to protect the remains of historically significant shipwrecks exposed along Diaz Beach following the recent severe weather conditions along the Garden Route coastline.
According to the municipality, powerful storms and heavy seas over the past two weeks caused significant coastal erosion and shifting sand, uncovering portions of long-buried shipwrecks just offshore.
Among the exposed remains are believed to be fragments from two well-known historic wrecks, the Rosebud, which sank in 1888, and the King Cenric, lost in 1903.
Both vessels form part of Mossel Bay’s rich maritime history, and the coastline is historically known for its dangerous sea conditions and numerous shipwrecks.
The municipality expressed its concern after reports and images emerged this morning, Monday 18 May, suggesting that some unknown individuals may have started removing pieces of an exposed wreckage.
“These remains are protected under heritage legislation, meaning that no part of the wreckage may be removed without official permits issued by the relevant heritage authorities,” the municipality said.
The officials warned that the unlawful removal of material from these sites is illegal and undermines efforts to preserve important historical resources for future generations.
Residents and beach-goers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity at the shipwreck remains to the South African Police Service on 044 606 2805 or Municipal Law Enforcement on 044 606 5000 or 044 606 5204.
Provide as much information as possible when reporting incidents, including the exact location, date and time, descriptions of the individuals involved, vehicle registration numbers, and any photographs or video footage where safely obtained.
At this stage, the reports stemming from the incident remain unconfirmed, and media queries have been submitted to the relevant authorities for clarification.
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