A SHIP of unknown origin or destination has harbour officials and environmental authorities on the boil in East London after oil polluted large sections of the coastline stretching from the Wild Coast resorts to Hamburg, midway between EL and Port Elizabeth last week.
We haven't any idea where it came from, but it is clearly bilge oil cleaned out from a vessel at sea, and that is an illegal practice, says Portnet's East London public relations manager Terry Taylor.
If we can ever bring the culprit to court, he could face a heavy penalty. The captain of the offending vessel can be fined hundreds of thousands of rands.
We are appealing to all shipping lines to address the matter and to warn their captains not to indulge in practices of this nature.
Although the spill was not considered dangerous, and of a serious threat to the ecology of the region, it was nevertheless a matter of deep concern, says Department of Environmental Affairs shore logistics officer for the region, Nicky Hansen.
What has happened here puts shipping in a bad light. The industry stands accused of polluting the coastline when something of this nature occurs, said Taylor.
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