DOCUMENTS

Most DAFF vessels not operational - Mapisa-Nqakula

Defence minister says boats and ships received by navy should be operational by end of October

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

2403. Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) Whether ships and boats that have been received from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and are being managed by the SA Navy are all fully operational; if not, (a) why not and (b) what steps does she intend to take in order to render these vessels fully operational;

(2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?          

NW2996E

REPLY

(1)     The following is the status report of each vessel that was received from the Department of Agriculture and are being managed by South African Navy;

Vessel

Function

Status

Steps taken

Africana

Research

Not operational

The vessel has concluded West/ South Coast Pelagic Fish surveys after the completion of maintenance and repairs that included schedule surveys and inspections. It will be fully operational by end October 2012

Ellen Khuzwayo

Research

Not operational

Maintenance and repairs which included schedule surveys and inspections of underwater valves, inlets and seals have been completed on this vessel. An operational routine has been concluded and will be ready by end of October 2012.

Sarah Baartman

Patrol

Not operational

It is undergoing maintenance and repairs for final readiness and safety checks before declared safe and seaworthy in accordance with the South African Navy Standard.

Lillian Ngoyi

Patrol

Not operational

It is undergoing maintenance period which includes servicing of engines in terms of operating hours and will be ready by end of October 2012.

Ruth First

Patrol

Not operational in its assigned responsibility

Currently used to conduct crew training and will be fully operation for its function at the end of October 2012.

Victor Mxenge

Patrol

Not operational

The vessel is undergoing its normal maintenance period which includes final readiness and safety checks before being declared safe and seaworthy in accordance with South African Navy Standards. It will be conducting East Coast fishery patrols from Port Elizabeth during the last three months of 2012.

Algoa

Research

Handed over to the Department of Environmental Affairs for Oceanographic Surveys. 

The vessel was fully operational during the handover.

(2)     No

(3)     Issued by Parliament, October 23 2012

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