We visited Jacobsbaai last week and saw that they are busy removing the barge Margaret. Apparently they cut the barges loose from each other and then blasted it so that the fall into the sea.
They then tow it with tug boats to Saldanha harbour where it will probably be sold on tender or auctions.
Apparently this operation so far cost the tax payer about R14 million.
Willie from “Die Weskuplek” in Jacobsbay sent me some nice pictures and information from the “Baai The Way” newsletter by Bev Gregory:
Blasting the Margaret
“It was a massive explosion: much bigger than residents expected and all the “smoke” they saw was fine sand from the sandbags packed around the explosives.”
from: Baai The Way
The tug above and river barges about to betowed to Saldanha & St. Helena Bay
Some of the river barges
“The Salvors managed to tow away 6 barges, leaving 3 more which can possibly be saved. Of these, two were badly damaged by the sea over the last few months, one was sacrificed for placing the explosives so there should be 3 more which can possibly be saved.”
from: Baai The Way
What is left of the Margaret
Margaret's remains
What is left of Margaret
A Barge entering Saldanha Harbour
Part of the floating dock laying in Saldanha Harbour