The SANCCOB Oiled Wildlife Response Team can breathe a sigh of relief as they stand down from the Temporary Stabilisation Facility that was mobilised last week at Bird Island Nature Reserve, Lambert’s Bay. Fuel oil released from the wreck landed on the shoreline directly opposite the vessel covering approximately 800 meters. Any chemical pollutant released into the environment has the potential to cause harm to biodiversity, however, our conservation partner, CapeNature diligently carried out field assessments and has confirmed that no oiled wildlife has been identified.
Shoreline clean-up crews have made significant progress onsite, with some residual oil remaining on the beach. No further oil has leaked from the vessel; therefore, the two-person team will demobilise on Wednesday 7 August and head back to SANCCOB in Table View. An oiled wildlife equipment kit will remain at the Lambert’s Bay facility in the event that the situation changes.
Unfavourable inclement weather is hampering salvage efforts on the grounded Panama-registered general cargo vessel, thus SANCCOB will remain on standby until salvage efforts are concluded and the risk of oil pollution to marine seabirds has been eliminated.