Government agencies have cleared the way for the next phase of efforts to remove the grounded cargo vessel MV DAN from waters off Nyali Beach after the vessel's owner appointed a salvage contractor, with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) confirming that the proposed recovery plan is undergoing technical and regulatory review ahead of a refloating operation expected to begin in mid-August.
KMA said the operation will proceed once the required approvals have been secured and specialised salvage equipment arrives in the country.
The Authority's Director General, CPA Omae Nyarandi, said preparations had gathered pace following consultations involving government agencies, the vessel owner and its local representatives.
"The vessel owner has now engaged Yaa Holdings Limited to carry out the salvage operation. At the same time, the proposed recovery plan is being subjected to the necessary technical and regulatory assessments, while specialised equipment required for the exercise is being mobilised," Nyarandi said.
The cargo vessel, identified by IMO No. 8415160, remains grounded off Nyali Beach as government agencies continue monitoring the situation to safeguard maritime navigation, protect the marine environment and ensure the welfare of the crew on board.
Nyarandi said the refloating exercise had been scheduled to take advantage of favourable weather and tidal conditions, which are considered critical to the success of the operation.
"Provided the approval process is concluded, and all the required equipment arrives on schedule, we expect the refloating exercise to begin in mid-August. The timing has been selected to take advantage of favourable tidal movements and weather conditions to support a safe operation," he said.
He said KMA would continue supervising every stage of the operation to ensure it complies with maritime safety regulations and environmental protection standards.
"Our role will be to ensure the entire salvage process is conducted in accordance with Kenya's maritime safety regulations and environmental protection standards so that the vessel can be removed safely and efficiently," Nyarandi said.
He also assured maritime stakeholders and members of the public that the situation remained under control, noting that the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) would continue providing round-the-clock security around the vessel to prevent unauthorised access and acts of vandalism.
"The situation remains stable, and we want to assure the public and the maritime community that the vessel continues to be closely monitored. We will keep stakeholders informed as the recovery operation progresses," he added.
The latest update follows an earlier assessment carried out by KMA after the vessel ran aground near Nyali Beach on June 22.
During the inspection, officials examined the vessel's structural condition and assessed the risk of environmental pollution. The authority found that the ship's hull remained intact, with no evidence of structural damage or oil leakage, indicating that the risk of marine pollution was low.
Despite those findings, KMA said precautionary measures would remain in place while the vessel continues to be monitored.
The surveillance operation has brought together several government agencies, including the Kenya Coast Guard Service, the Kenya Navy and the Kenya Ports Authority. KMA said the Coast Guard has maintained 24-hour security around the vessel to protect the crew, prevent unauthorised access and respond swiftly should the situation change.
The authority also said the vessel's owner, SLA Maritime Co. S.A., has continued cooperating with government agencies throughout the response.
KMA had initially projected that the salvage operation could begin around July 13 when favourable tidal conditions were expected. However, the timeline has since been revised to mid-August to allow completion of regulatory procedures and mobilisation of the specialised equipment required for the recovery exercise.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google