ST FRANCIS BAY – A fishing vessel FV Western Star, a 40-foot vessel owned by Knysna Fishing Company, sank on 2 February after a fire broke out on board while the vessel was at anchor off St Francis Bay.
According to a press release by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the incident was reported at around midday on 2 February.
“All 11 crew members were safely evacuated and are undergoing precautionary medical assessments. No injuries have been reported,” the statement said.
Furthermore, a navigation warning has been issued due to the presence of the sunken wreck, which poses a hazard to maritime traffic.
The statement noted that at the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying approximately 2,000 litres of diesel, 25 litres of oil and other lubricants, as well as an estimated 1,200 kilograms of squid stored in blue plastic bags.
SAMSA, together with relevant authorities, is assessing potential pollution risks.
“SAMSA has notified all relevant stakeholders and is coordinating the response with the vessel owners and their representatives. Steps are underway to develop plans for pollution response and wreck removal if required. A salvage company is being activated to support response operations, and an Incident Management System (IMS) structure has been established,” the statement said.
“SAMSA will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as information becomes available.”
