FROM THE EDITOR... -September 2004 Issue Greater international emphasis is being placed on caring for the environment. South Africa is committed to meeting the goals set at three major international agreements on sustainable development and biodiversity conservation – the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, the 2003 World Parks Congress and the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2004. The country also recently received the international Gift to the Earth award from WWF International in recognition of its environmental protection efforts following the promulgation of four new marine protected areas (MPAs). What still needs to be done though is to update the South African Marine Pollution Act of 1981 which uses the “polluter pays” principle up to a maximum of R120 million to be paid by the insurers of the vessel. It is not a lot of money when the real cost of a large-scale pollution disaster can run into billions as has been the case with numerous international salvage operations. South Africa’s coastline is littered with wrecks and in the last four years alone, no less than six ships have had to be salvaged. The latest was the bulk carrier, Cape Africa (read the article on page 12). Perhaps there is good reason that SAMSA is hard on refuge? Ship repairers get hot under the collar when they lose out on work. A year ago this journal reported on the state of the industry in Cape Town – unfortunately there has been little change and international companies are getting fed up and shipping out. Shipbuilding in Durban also ground to a halt and private enterprise is now applying creative thinking to keeping the window of opportunity open. Readers will be interested in the account of a student’s visit to the port of Rotterdam. Daniel Paul who is studying for his Masters degree in Maritime Studies at Stellenbosch University marvels at the activities at the port in comparison to our own. Fresh eyes can help to keep this journal topical and interesting so if you have any suggestions or you believe certain issues are not being addressed, please drop me a line at: trachandler@telkomsa.net I look forward to hearing from you. Editor Cover story The salvage tug Smit Amandla photographed during the tow of the bulk carrier, the Cape Africa from False Bay to the Port of Cape Town. Salvaging the Cape Africa 160 miles west of Cape Town was a mammoth task which involved harnessing the skills of a total of 140 people offshore at the peak of the operation. An onshore back-up team included a Joint Response Committee established by SAMSA and made up of a core group which included the DEAT, local authorities, the traffic and disaster management departments and a public relations team.

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