The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says it has made significant progress in clearing sunken and abandoned vessels from Western Cape harbours.
According to the department, the initiative supports the revitalisation of South Africa’s 12 Proclaimed Fishing Harbours, fostering sustainable fisheries and economic growth in coastal communities.
DFFE minister Dion George praised the collaborative efforts driving the vessel clearing initiative to ensure safer navigation and mooring opportunities.
He said the department had made notable advancements in the removal of sunken and abandoned vessels across Lamberts Bay, St Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay, Hout Bay, and Gordon’s Bay.
A total of 37 vessels have been identified in these five harbours, comprising 17 abandoned vessels and 20 sunken vessels. So far, six vessels have been attended to or removed by their owners at their own cost, leaving 31 vessels remaining. Of these, 17 vessels – most of which are small leisure boats in Hout Bay Harbour – are expected to be removed through lifting and cutting operations before the end of the year.
“The successful progress in removing sunken and abandoned vessels across our Western Cape harbours is a testament to our dedication to ensuring safe and sustainable fishing harbours,” George said.
“These efforts not only mitigate environmental and navigational risks but also create opportunities for economic growth by freeing up valuable mooring space.”
In Hout Bay, which accounts for the majority of the remaining vessels (25 identified, with 23 still to be addressed and 10 slated for lifting), the salvage operation for the vessels Edelweiss and African Unity has been under way for the past five days.
Despite initial plans to complete the removal within three days, the complexity of the operation, including the discovery of an additional unidentified vessel beneath one of the wrecks, has extended the timeline.
Teams have successfully pumped water from the vessels and a team of divers is actively sealing identified holes to ensure the vessels can be safely floated and moved for salvaging.
Additional vessels in Hout Bay, such as Merlin, Blue Boat, and Spes Nova, are scheduled for removal by the end of October, while others like Grant and Spes Nova are targeted for the end of December. Several abandoned vessels, including SA 4256, C.Bull, Nico’s, Roly Poly, Royal Duke, Brilliant, Lucky Too, Teal, and two dinghies, are under discussion for lifting with a crane by November. The owner of White Boat has committed to repairing it and donating it to small-scale fisheries co-operatives.
In Gordon’s Bay four vessels have been identified and one, the sunken Dolphin, will be removed by a diving school by the end of October. The abandoned vessels Sea Quest, Feelin Naughty, and Illusions – 29504 have been noted by the DFFE.
In Lamberts Bay the sunken Getruide ADF 549 and abandoned James Archer are pending removal, with the SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to issue a directive for Getruide ADF 549.
There are also two vessels that need to be removed from St Helena Bay, the sunken Arizon II and Anna SH1451P, and in Saldanha Bay the sunken Benguela Pride 350390, Petrie Hein – 350553, OosterDAM 35048 and Angie V are awaiting Samsa directives.
The DFFE said Samsa would issue directives to vessel owners where necessary to facilitate removals.
“The removal of these wrecks is a critical step in addressing the environmental and safety risks posed by sunken and abandoned vessels, which constitute approximately 90% of such wrecks in Hout Bay Harbour,” the DFFE said.
It said the clearing of these vessels would create additional mooring and berthing space in response to requests from the fishing industry for access to these facilities.
“This development is expected to stimulate economic activity, including increased demand for vessel building and job creation in coastal communities,” the department said.
“Looking ahead, the DFFE is preparing for the removal of additional wrecks across all affected harbours in November and December 2025. The Department will continue to work closely with Samsa to ensure compliance and efficiency in these operations,” it said.
