The MV Seli 1 was a Turkish bulk carier that was driven aground off Bloubergstrand near Table Bay by strong winds on 8 September 2009.
Not only was it a bit of an eye-sore, but we were worried about how it would affect the surf and our beautiful beach! The Istanbul-operated ship was carrying a cargo of 30 000 tonnes of coal, and 660 tonnes of heavy-fuel oil. She sustained significant structural damage but remained capable of being refloated.
Initial salvage operations focused on the removal of 360 000 litres of oil from the ship. Pumping the fuel took a few weeks, during which period the weather remained relatively calm. Eventually the coal was also removed, getting rid of the risk of pollution.
A positive side effect of the wreck’s position was the formation of straight sand banks that created the awesome waves that the watersport community love so much. According to kiters and watersports enthusiasts, Dolphin Beach had produced a “boring wave geometry” before the ship’s stranding, but is now a popular Surfing and Kitesurfing spot that even attracts international visitors!
The wreck-reduction process has since been completed, with the entire wreck collapsed onto the seabed. The ugly water feature is gone, but the sick waves remain.
SAKA (South African Kiteboarding Association) has been fighting to be allowed to place buoys above the wreck. They have finally received permission and have placed their first buoy to warn kiters and other watersport enthusiasts to watch out for the wreck beneath the waves. The buoy was attached to the wreck on the morning of 12 November 2013. With five more buoys set to be placed, low tide will be as safe as grandma’s house soon.
Thank you to SAKA for continually making our beaches as safe as possible.
All we have to say is, “Oh buoy! We’re excited!”
