Visiting ships
'reclassified' to keep
out undesirable
on-hangers
RAY SMUTS
Harbour master Captain Bill Shewell has come up with a rather novel deterrent for non-bona fide vessel occupants, 'ladies of the night' for instance, entering his domain by reclassifying visiting ships - and it is the vessel's owner who could ultimately be saddled by additional charges.
It's perfectly democratic, it has reduced all my problems and the shipping companies are delighted, Shewell told FTW following reports about aboard-ship prostitutes hanging their panties out to dry in full view of well-heeled guests at the five star Cape Grace Hotel, recently voted top hotel in the world by readers of a glossy travel magazine.
He dismissed the line about panties as bull, pointing out that what had actually happened, as was common practice in ports all over the world, was for some working crew members to hang their jeans and overalls over the side of the vessel.
In terms of the reclassification, non-working layby vessels pay the normal rate, those undertaking maintenance a rate double that of the non-working layby cost and cultural events vessels double the working rate.
This means in effect that if a vessel should enter the V&A with even one occupant who is not an authorised crew member the vessel's owner will be charged the rate applicable to a passenger vessel - R2 100 a day.
All vessels wishing to make use of the Portnet synchrolift must first enter the Victoria basin and then proceed to the Alfred basin, where the Cape Grace is situated at the west quay, and it is the close proximity of these vessels to the posh hotel that has given rise for concern.
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
