Safety Alert: Do NOT Touch That Blue Container

SAFETY APPEAL: PUBLIC ARE URGED NOT TO APPROACH ANY 200kg BLUE SEALED CONTAINER – FOUND WASHED ASHORE OR ADRIFT AT SEA – ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE or SOUTH CAPE COASTLINE. IF ANY SUCH CONTAINER, A BLUE SEALED 200kg CHEMICAL CONTAINER, IS SPOTTED, PLEASE CALL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT GARDEN ROUTE 0448055071 or WC GOVERNMENT HEALTH EMS 10177 – IMMEDIATELY – TO REPORT THE POSITION AND LOCATION.

Garden Route Fire and Rescue Services are dealing with a 200 kilogram blue dangerous chemical sealed container found washed ashore at Jongensfonteinstrand, South Cape Coastline, near to Stilbaai – Western Cape.

DRM (Disaster Risk Management) Garden Route (GRDRM) has confirmed that the sealed container containing hazardous dangerous chemicals is not a present risk and will be recovered on Saturday by a Hazmat (Hazardous Materials) Fire and Rescue Services team.

However, there are concerns that, there may be a further 3 containers adrift at sea, in the area, or may be washed ashore – along that stretch of coastline.

(According to records a 200 kilogram blue container of this nature is normally carried in a pallet of 4 containers).

While it cannot be confirmed that 3 containers are missing or remain adrift at sea and/or washed ashore – GRDRM authorities are appealing to boaters and public members NOT TO APPROACH THE CONTAINER if spotted but to IMMEDIATELY CALL GRDRM Tel: 0448055071 or National Ambulance Emergency 10177.

There appears to be no reports of any dangerous chemical containers missing off any ship at sea – this is being investigated.

It remains unclear where the container originated – this is being investigated.

WC Government Health EMS Metro Control, DRM (Disaster Risk Management), MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), Telkom Maritime Radio Services, SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority), Western Cape Fire and Rescue Services, SA Police Services, NSRI and TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) are alerted.