The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management team has cautioned the public and urged them to curb their curiosity and avoid going near the wrecked ship at Oudekraal beach after it washed ashore on Thursday, 20 January.
The Antipolis shipwreck, previously located on the rocks off Victoria Road near Oudekraal, washed ashore between Oudekraal and the Twelve Apostles Hotel.
This was a result of the massive waves on 19 January, with swells as high as 40 to 50 metres picking up the wreck.
The COCT’s Coastal Management team quickly made their way to the site on Friday morning, 21 January, to assess the situation.
This is what they concluded:
- It is still a bit unstable and the wreck is moving with the swell
- Small pieces have broken off and are lying around
- Although this large portion of the ship will eventually settle, the rocky shore will cause it to always move slightly, depending on the size of the swell and tide
- The shipwreck may move again in a similar big swell and if it does, there is no immediate infrastructure that it could crash into.
“We can confirm that the wreck itself and its location poses little risk to the coastal environment, however, the only real risks are if members of the public try and climb on it or remove pieces of it. We urge everyone to please stay clear and not to climb onto it. It is a little unstable, rusty and old and should really be avoided,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
According to the statement released, the City will continue to monitor the situation and erect general warning signs for various access points in the area. The wreck will not be moved but will be left to settle in its new location to form part of the many shipwrecks that the Cape’s coastline is known for.
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Look! The Antipolis shipwreck has washed ashore near the 12 Apostles
Picture/s: City of Cape Town