On 5 December 2012, the car carrier Baltic Ace sank with more than 1,400 cars on board after a collision with a container ship near the entrance of the main shipping lane leading to Rotterdam port. Rijkswaterstaat contracted Boskalis and its partner Mammoet Salvage for the wreck removal operation. The Baltic Ace was laid down in 2007 in Poland, only to meet sudden death five years later in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes off the Dutch coast south of Rotterdam. Since it sank with … [Read more...] about Why this video made me think of the Baratz, and sigh…
Baratz
Baratz Disaster – So who lied?
On 10 January 2016 it was reported that the Diesel from the Baratz vessel, sunk off Cape Receife on 26 November 2015, would be removed within a week. (See: Environmentalists Highlight Dangers of Diesel Spill from the Baratz). See the MyPE articles about the Baratz HERE. SLOW Forward to Tuesday 23 February 2016 - THIRTY SIX days after the deadline committed to by the authorities and it appears that the diesel from the Baratz has decided to free itself and form a diesel slick from Cape … [Read more...] about Baratz Disaster – So who lied?
Who will take ownership of the Baratz Wreck when it becomes a major disaster?
Dear MyPE Like a story from a novel one reads on social media, various online papers, in the news, on TV and on 50/50, the story of the Baratz as it gathers momentum and goes viral. What is it that makes this wreck so different to other fishing vessels sunk in all the years off Algoa Bay? Apparently 400 wrecks lie within and on the boundary of Algoa Bay so why is there such a hype about this one? Maybe the rescue of all crew after a mysterious accident by the brave Air Force and NSRI, … [Read more...] about Who will take ownership of the Baratz Wreck when it becomes a major disaster?
Environmentalists Highlight Dangers of Diesel Spill from the Baratz
SABC News Reports: 40-tons of diesel on a sunken crayfish trawler off the coast of Port Elizabeth, will be removed from the vessel within the next week. The Baratz sank in November in 2015 and some of its diesel is leaking. Environmentalists are concerned about the effects on the vulnerable African Penguin population. A founder trustee of SAMREC, Libby Sharwood, is more concerned about the impact of diesel on the highly-endangered penguins. Scientists estimate that in the next four years, … [Read more...] about Environmentalists Highlight Dangers of Diesel Spill from the Baratz
Baratz Wreck – now an Environmental Disaster for Algoa Bay
Reports flowing in now indicate that tons of diesel on-board the sunken crayfishing boat, the Baratz, is now escaping into the sea at a far greater rate than ever before. Yesterday at around 10:00 am the wreck area was approached by a dive tour boat from Expert Tours and owner Rainer Schimpf remarked to MyPE later that day that; "... the smell of diesel and extent of it on the surface was far greater than on previous encounters and more than one nautical mile from the wreck." At 14h00, … [Read more...] about Baratz Wreck – now an Environmental Disaster for Algoa Bay
NMBT Comment on the Baratz
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 … [Read more...] about NMBT Comment on the Baratz
Underwater Footage of the Wreck of the Baratz
Haunting first images emerge of the Baratz wreck in it's watery grave - scroll down to see YouTube Video. At 14h00 on Thursday, 26th November the NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for urgent assistance from the 29 meter steel Crayfish boat Baratz reporting to be taking water with no motor power and adrift at sea South East of Cape Recife, Port Elizabeth, with 25 crew on-board in rough sea conditions of 4 to 5 … [Read more...] about Underwater Footage of the Wreck of the Baratz
Video – Diesel escaping from the wreck of the Baratz
On 2 December 2015 the wreck of the Baratz off of Cape Recife was declared an absolute no go area for all boats, divers and fishermen. (See: Baratz wreck is a ‘No Go No Dive’ area). The crayfishing boat, Baratz sank on 26 November and emergency personnel rescued all 25 fishermen on-board. On 27 November Rainer and Silke Schimpf (Expert Tours and Sardine Run PE) dove the site managing to get this footage as the diesel mixed with oil formed a dark plume in the water. It has since been … [Read more...] about Video – Diesel escaping from the wreck of the Baratz
Baratz wreck is a ‘No Go No Dive’ area
The wreck of the Baratz off of Cape Recife has been declared an absolute no go area for all boats, divers and fishermen. This after the NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at 14h00 on Thursday, 26th November following a request for urgent assistance from the 29 meter steel Crayfish boat Baratz reporting to be taking water with no motor power and adrift at sea South East of Cape Recife, Port Elizabeth, with 25 crew on-board in rough sea … [Read more...] about Baratz wreck is a ‘No Go No Dive’ area
NMMU watches over Baratz Flotsam
NMMU is visible from the wreck site of the Baratz - an east wind will more than likely cause the diesel plume to 'beach' and, if it is pushed towards the Cape Recife Nature Reserve it could well cause harm to the millions of abalone that have been seeded in the area. Silke and Rainer Schimpf (Sardine Run PE) took this photograph the day after the sinking of the Crayfishing boat Baratz off of Cape Recife. At 14h00, Thursday, 26th November, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the … [Read more...] about NMMU watches over Baratz Flotsam
Baratz Flotsam off Cape Recife
Underwater the scene is much worse as 27 tons of diesel mixes with sand making the visibility less than zero and a plume reaches out to Bird Island and St Croix placing sea life in danger. Silke and Rainer Schimpf (Sardine Run PE) took this photograph the day after the sinking of the Crayfishing boat Baratz off of Cape Recife. At 14h00, Thursday, 26th November, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for urgent … [Read more...] about Baratz Flotsam off Cape Recife
Baratz Diesel and Rope Flotsam
Diesel is clearly visible on top of the water and mixes with cordage from the wreck of the Baratz - a hazard to all craft. Silke and Rainer Schimpf (Sardine Run PE) took this photograph the day after the sinking of the Crayfishing boat Baratz off of Cape Recife. At 14h00, Thursday, 26th November, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for urgent assistance from the 29 meter steel Crayfish boat Baratz reporting to be … [Read more...] about Baratz Diesel and Rope Flotsam
We are in danger of destroying our HOPE SPOT
Dear MyPE A great tragedy and loss of life was averted by the swift action of the NSRI and other emergency authorities yesterday when the 29 meter steel Crayfish boat Baratz sunk at sea off of Cape Recife on Thursday 26 November 2015 - all 25 seamen were saved (See: Fishing boat sinks off Cape Recife). Myself and Silke put out to sea from the Port of Port Elizabeth this morning en route to the scene of the Baratz sinking. Much to our dismay we observed a ship, Panayiota K, apparently … [Read more...] about We are in danger of destroying our HOPE SPOT
