Disaster averted as oil gushes into Durban harbour

TERRY HUTSON DURBAN HARBOUR experienced its largest ever oil spill at the end of last month when an estimated 80 tons of bunker oil leaked from the damaged container ship Doria. The Ocean Africa Container Lines vessel went aground temporarily off Angola during October, suffering bottom hull damage, but was able to be refloated and returned to Durban under its own steam for repairs. An inspection of the vessel at a layby berth revealed no leaks and it was able to proceed to the Eldock floating dock for a full assessment and repairs. However as the dock lifted out of the water stresses on the ship, which was now unsupported by water, must have caused a hairline crack to open, causing the bunker oil to gush out into the bay. Fortunately floating booms were quickly manoeuvred into position surrounding the dock which contained much of the spill. Pollution control companies as well as the NPA pollution team moved in and began mopping up the oil, and despite fears about the integrity of nearby sandbanks and the mangrove heritage site,the spill did not spread too far and little permanent damage was done.