VICTORIA MXENGE PROTECTION VESSEL DELIVERED:
R440m ENVIRONMENTAL FLEET NOW READY TO PROTECT SA WATERS

Environmental Panorama
Johannesburg – South Africa
September of 2005

 

23/09/2005 - Cape Town harbour today played host to an unprecedented show of marine force with the first ever joint display of the four new environmental protection vessels of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Arriving on the deck of the Sarah Baartman via helicopter with the crew of the fourth and final vessel, the Victoria Mxenge, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk said: “The combined effort of these four vessels, built at a total cost of R440 million, will bring new security to our waters and strike a crushing-blow to the criminal operations of those who steal our marine resources and threaten the long-term survival of our fishing communities.”
The Minister was joined at the event by Mbasa Mxenge; Viwe Mxenge and Nomhle Mxenge – the children of the late Victoria Mxenge, as well as by environmental MEC’s from across South Africa , senior management of the Department, and members of the media. “We gather this morning in the shade of four great vessels – four namesakes that we have built to honour four truly great South Africans,” said the Minister. “Sarah Baartman – the icon who came to symbolise the return of African dignity; Ruth First – journalist, academic, and pioneer of non-racialism; Lilian Ngoyi – leader and activist whose life embodied the struggle against injustice; and now today,20 years after her murder in July 1985, Victoria Mxenge – nurse, lawyer, and vocal advocate for true justice. Much as the lives of these four women brought an iron will to the South African journey to democracy, their vessels will be the guardians of our most valuable marine treasures.”

Speaking about the many successes already achieved by the first three vessels in the fleet, the Minister added: “Her three sister-vessels have not been idle waiting for the Victoria Mxenge to take her place – they have already made their presence known, travelling a combined distance of more than 41 000 nautical miles since November last year. The three have also been responsible for 32 arrests; more than 100 inspections; R24 000 in admissions of guilt; an estimated R1,5 million in confiscated vessels and equipment; and more than R1,5 million in illegal fishing resources recovered. Our off-shore flagship, the Sarah Baartman,has also successfully completed her first bilateral and trilateral SADC patrols – having ventured as far north as the waters of Tanzania .”

“Our 54 crew and 30 fishery inspectors aboard the four vessels will now be able to patrol a combined total of 1440 nautical miles a day when simultaneously deployed,” said the Minister. “Even with a monthly deployment of only 20 seagoing days, this means that 28 800 nautical miles, or almost our entire fishing zone could be under the direct protection of the fleet.”

Paying tribute to the builders of the three inshore vessels, and announcing plans to further expand the fleet the Minister said: “All three have been built right here in South Africa by Farocean Marine – which has not only seen Farocean expand its own workforce almost three-fold, but also injected new life into our local ship-building industry. It is with great pleasure therefore that I can announce the awarding of a new contract to Farocean Marine, for the construction of a new R100 million inshore fishery research vessel which will conduct rock-lobster, line fish, marine mammal, and environmental research in our coastal waters. The design is already being undertaken by Skipsteknisk of Norway,and the first steel is due to be cut in October this year, with delivery scheduled for August 2007. As part of our long-term ship replacement strategy, we have also recently commenced with a feasibility study to replace the polar supply and research ship SA Agulhas by means of a Public Private Partnership. The project has been registered with National Treasury and Transaction Advisors have been appointed to assist the department. The study is due for completion in April 2006.”we have also recently commenced with a feasibility study to replace the polar supply and research ship SA Agulhas by means of a Public Private Partnership. The project has been registered with National Treasury and Transaction Advisors have been appointed to assist the department. The study is due for completion in April 2006.”we have also recently commenced with a feasibility study to replace the polar supply and research ship SA Agulhas by means of a Public Private Partnership. The project has been registered with National Treasury and Transaction Advisors have been appointed to assist the department. The study is due for completion in April 2006.”

“It was Olive Schreiner who wrote that ‘The measure of its women is ultimately the measure of any people’s strength and power to resist’,” said the Minister. “The women of South African have always been the unbreakable rock that has anchored our people. It is the women of our country who have defined our capacity to fight, to find common ground, and ultimately to forgive. Today and every day that this fleet serves our people, we honour the women of South Africa . They are the heroines of our history and the champions of our shared freedom.”

 
 

Source: South African Environmental (http://www.environment.gov.za)
Press consultantship (Riaan Aucamp)
All rights reserved

 
 
 
 

 

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