Oil washes up on Blythdale beach
According to an East Coast Radio report, pockets of oil have surfaced on the shore in Zinkwazi, Salt Rock, Zimbali, and Blythedale as a result of a leaking ship some 580 kilometres off-shore over the weekend.
The SA Maritime Safety Authority says teams are working to clear the oil and have collected about 10 bags over the past 24 hours, and don’t suspect too much more oil being spilled.
Long time north coast local Allan Johns said he hasn’t heard of anyone directly affected by the oil at Zinkwazi, Salt Rock or Zimbali yet, but had heard a report that some tar-like oil had washed up at Blythdale and stuck to some locals boards. Apparently authorities had closed Blythdale beach yesterday in an attempt to clear the oil, but is was reopened again this morning. Blythdale is a Blue-flag status beach.
Zag will keep you posted with any new developments. In the meanwhile check out East Coast Radio for the initial report: http://www.ecr.co.za/kagiso/content/en/east-coast-radio/east-coast-radio-news?oid=1471026&sn=Detail&pid=490476&Oil-spill-on-KZN-s-North-Coast
