Dredging, pumping of beach sand to replenish beaches expected soon
TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) is due to begin dredging and replenishing sand at Durban beaches soon now that its new Ilembe dredging vessel has been certified.
A pipeline from the harbour mouth pump station, buried under sand, has already been set up on Addington Beach.
The eThekwini Municipality requires Transnet to provide 500 000 cubic metres of sand a year to replenish the city’s beaches that are scoured away because the harbour entrance prevent the natural migration of sand along the coast.
“Dredging is responsible for sustaining Durban’s famous beaches because the prevailing winds and currents cause a northward movement of sand,” said Moshe Motlohi, TNPA’s Port of Durban Manager.
“To prevent this sand from compromising the port’s entrance channels, dredging creates sand-traps and pumps the sand back to the northern side to mimic the sand’s natural progression. This allows for nourishment of the beaches. Without this, the beach would be eroded.”
The Ilembe will be tasked with reclaiming 150 000 cubic meters of sand during the upcoming dredging campaign.
Motlohi said the duration of the sand pumping would depend on a number of factors, including weather conditions.
The Ilembe arrived in Durban in January after being built for TNPA in the Netherlands.
Motlohi said the municipality was responsible for the safety of the public on the beaches during reclamation.
However, when the Daily News visited the site on the beach, an excavator was busy churning up the sand.
A huge, crater-sized hole filled with water was underneath the mouth of the pipe. Caution tape flapped in the wind, barely visible, with a sign reading ‘Beach closed’ on either end.
There were no signs on the promenade warning the public of possible dangers.
Municipal spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said Transnet would pump sand directly onto the beach until it had supplied a minimum of 100 000 cubic meters of sand.
Depending on the weather , pumping could take another three weeks, she said
“Safety tape has erected around the pumping site to keep the public away and eThekwini staff are always present to ensure public safety.
“However, the safety tape was removed on this occasion in order for the excavator to fill in the hole/pit in question with sand, without hindering its movements.” Mthethwa said.
The city is also handing out educational brochures to the public on site when they are pumping sand.