NATIONAL NEWS - Oil samples sent to a Pretoria laboratory will determine if Algoa Bay was hit by two separate spills. The results of samples taken from birds, seawater and an oil tanker could be finalised tomorrow, according to the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa).
The authority launched an investigation following last week’s oil spill in the bay.
Since Wednesday, more than 100 oil-soaked penguins have been washed and are being rehabilitated at two coastal centres in the Eastern Cape.
Samsa regional head Captain Nigel Campbell said while a tanker admitted responsibility for a 100-litre spill last Sunday, the oil had been immediately cleaned and no traces were later found later that day.
“So it was a complete surprise when these penguins started showing up covered in oil,” he said.
“We used aerial surveillance and found oil as far away as Maitlands.
“We collected the oil from the birds, from the water and from the oil tanker, and it was sent for analysis.”
Pictures were also sent to experts in London, who believe it may be two separate incidents.
“However, our lab results will conclusively prove this.”
