22 JANUARY 2020
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The final touches are being added to the brand-new base in the New Harbour for Hermanus NSRI Station 17. According to station commander, Deon Langenhoven, more than R14 million has been spent on building the new station and the rescue organisation will be able to take full occupancy at the end of February. In addition to the new station, Hermanus NSRI will also take delivery of a new ORC search and rescue vessel to the value of R15 million at the end of the year. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
A new era for New Harbour Writer Sarah Taylor
A
fter more than eight years of planning, the redevelopment of the New Harbour is slowly starting, with the newly-refurbished slipway cradle being the first project to be taken into service. This upgrade, part of the Small Harbours’ Programme – known as Operation Phakisa – is part of a broader R400 million scheme to upgrade the Western Cape’s 13 fishing harbours to boost economic development in
the maritime sphere.
According to the Department of Public Works’ (DoPW) construction projects manager, Mustakim Gierdien, further developments during the first phase will include refurbishing the old Lusitania premises near the harbour entrance into a multi-purpose centre for locals and tourists alike. It will comprise, among others, a craft market, ablution facilities, a bus stop and a venue for events. Gierdien said that this part of the
project has been approved and that a contractor will soon be appointed. Solly Madikane, Overstrand Municipality’s Director of Local Economic Development, said they are happy about the developments at the harbour. “This has been a long process and we are hopeful that the rest of the first phase will commence as soon as possible. Creating a multi-functional area for tourists will further establish the harbour as a destination, with the potential to generate
much-needed tourism income.”
An atmosphere of great excitement filled the harbour last Thursday as the newly-refurbished slipway cradle was inaugurated with a practice run. The trial involved the gentle scooping up by the shiny new orange cradle of the 60-ton Tigerfish, a commercial long-line tuna fishing boat from Hout Bay. Cables were then used to haul the wooden boat up the slipway and onto the dry dock, where, over the following two days, its lower
extremities were scrubbed clean of barnacles and painted a dashing new red.
Gierdien said the Hermanus harbour upgrade is a precursor to this broader vision. “This is Phase 0. First, we need to get the harbours to a functional state, as they have deteriorated over the years due to a lack of regular maintenance. We are aligned with the government’s Operation Phakisa which aims to unlock the potential of South Africa’s vast coastline.” Continues on P3
