September 3, 2011. It’s been a long haul for both residents of Sheffield Beach and the South African Maritime Safety Authority, but finally The Phoenix has been freed from the rocks and is being assessed by authorities before plans to sink the vessel.
Large crowds have regularly flocked to the small coastal town to see The Phoenix, sitting proud on the rocks, cramming streets and creating a nightmare scenario for Sheffield Beach residents.
Salvagers have spent weeks cleaning out the vessel and ensuring no oil or hazardous materials – that can be harmful to the environment – remain on board, before towing The Phoenix south of Durban about 70km offshore to be sunk.
For more, see the East Coast Radio website.