Svitzer Salvage Africa was contracted at noon on the 12th August, to provide assistance in the search & recovery of some 200 - 300 logs, that

were lost overboard from the cargo vessel “LOLA”, whilst at anchor in Table Bay on the night of the 9th August. 

After over flying the search & recovery area today, and a feedback session with SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Agency), SVITZER Salvage have been requested to liaise with the NSRI, and local Disaster Management Services, Life Guard Associations and the Port of Cape Town, to warn the public on the dangers that these logs pose.

The logs are of Okoume species, of West African origin, and weigh between 8 & 20 tonnes, with a length between 6 – 10m in length. The public, small craft users and local fisherman are urged to be aware of the risks that these logs pose to fishing boats, bathers and recreational surfers.

They should not be approached in the surf zone, and life guards are urged to maintain a lookout and warn bathers of their presence. The logs have been spotted from the air and by ships between Slangkop & Hout Bay in the South, and to Dassen Island & Ysterfontein in the North.

There are logs coming ashore near Grotto Bay; Dassen Island; Robben Island; Sea Point; and along the Cape Peninsular as far as Hout Bay.

Svitzer is deploying ski-boats and zodiac type semi-rigid inflatable, crewed by recovery teams including divers.  These boats shall be directed to the immediate location of the logs by aerial

observations carried out by either helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, and from reportings made by shipping and the public.

Logs already landed on the shore shall be recovered by shore-teams and forestry equipment.