Ms Mandlakazi Skefile, CEO of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism said today; “Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism are aware of the sinking of the Baratz on 26 November and are relieved that there were no casualties. Currently the only concern is the possibility of an oil spill and pollution that could harm the ocean life until the wreck has been ‘sanitised’. Once the risk has been removed and the area has been cleared, the silver lining in the tragic situation is that it will add value to the deep-sea diving experience for scuba divers adding an additional underwater spot of interest to explore.”
Indeed the wreck will provide one more spot for scuba divers to explore.
Some of the wrecks in Algoa Bay that the Baratz will join are:
County of Pembroke: The County of Pembroke, a British cargo ship, was shipwrecked in Algoa Bay in 1903. She was towed to the mouth of the Coega River and sunk in 1904. The wreckage was finally found and fully identified in 2004, when divers brought a part of her bow with a faint outline of her name to the surface. The divers had been exploring the Port of Ngqura and found the wreck in May 2004. THey initially though it was the remains of the John N Gamewell, a small American brigantine that sank in the area in 1880. Divers are currently removing the wreck completely according to instructions from the South African Heritage Resource Agency. She had been carrying 100 tons of cement powder.
Kapodistrias: A Greek bulk carrier wrecked at Cape Recife near Port Elizabeth.
Haerlem: Sunk near the Bell Buoy in 1985. Here you can see the Leopard Sharks, Cat Sharks and Pajama Sharks swimming gracefully in their artificial home. Cape Salmon and Batfish can also be spotted here along with a variety of other sea life such as Heart Urchins and the very popular Crowned and Black Nudibranchs. The reef was created when a South African Navy Frigate was sunk here in 1987. The deck is split in two and is 18 meters long.
The North End Wrecks: This is the site of the single largest maritime ship disaster in South Africa’s history. In 1902 a gale force south-easter struck and 18 vessels were lost leaving the bay graveyard of ships. Many small craft were also lost and it is impossible to name all the wrecks as they are scattered all over the ocean floor. Visibility here is seldom good.
MV Pati: In March 1987, the Cyprian registered vessel MV Pati ran aground on Thunderbolt Reef, Algoa Bay.
Paris Maru: On the 15th of January 1934 the Japanese Cargo ship, Paris Maru, struck Roman Rock. She took in a lot of water and the gale force south-easterly wind made matters worse. She sank approximately 3km from the mouth of Port Elizabeth Harbour towards North End beach. Unfortunately for divers, she is lies directly in the shipping lane and has been blown up to flatten her. The wreckage lies scattered over a large area (approximately 200m radius) at a depth of 16m. The mangled pieces of metal make an interesting artificial reef. Care must be taken when diving on the Paris Maru, because there are lots of sharp pieces of wreckage and much of the wreck is covered in sand. She must be dived when conditions are good, with little surge and good visibility.
Related Links: Fishing boat sinks off Cape Recife | We are in danger of destroying our HOPE SPOT | Video – Diesel escaping from the wreck of the Baratz | Baratz Diesel and Rope Flotsam | Baratz wreck is a ‘No Go No Dive’ area | Underwater Footage of the Wreck of the Baratz.
Alan Straton
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