namib times Hero N$4
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6789 TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Once in a while you get those rare occasions where you become a hero or heroine to someone. Johanna Theofelius (pictured) recently wasted no time when she spotted something out of the ordinary floating in the channel off the port of Walvis Bay. Johanna is a crew member of the pilot boat Seagull. When she spotted this object floating she alerted the wheelman and other crew members. Upon closer inspection they instantly knew there was something seriously wrong. The object turned out to be a capsized canoe and the person on the canoe was trapped under it, having difficulty to get the canoe upright again and in doing so save himself from drowning. Johanna instinctively threw a life buoy at the struggling man and they managed to pull him from the water. The water was very cold, the stream was strong and the wind was blowing. Had they not spotted the man and the capsized canoe he would have perished within minutes from either drowning or hypothermia. Speaking to Namport's heroine, Johanna said in her eight years at Namport she never had a dull day and the recent incident was extraordinary. “We have been trained to save lives at sea and it is an immense joy to know that I could make a difference in that man's life recently”, she explained. Adding: “I could not leave a fellow human being floating in the ocean in the name of executing my duties.” Speaking to the grateful wife of the survivor, Ms. Cicka Smith, she only had words of deep thankfulness. She could not hide her joy in what Johanna Theofelius did and whose bravery and decisive actions saved her husband's life. Not only did the crew of Seagull rescued Mr. Desmond Howard, but also safely retrieved the canoe. “Thank you so much Johanna. I was extra thrilled when I learnt that it was a fellow-woman who played a critical role in ensuring the safety of my husband. Namport should really take special notice of this rescue”, said Mrs. Howard. It was understood Mr. Howard was saved a mere 5 minutes after his canoe capsized and his fight
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inside Massive vehicle carrier alongside
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“Trenchless” sewer installation technology soon tested in Walvis Bay
SME’s play pivotal role
Staff Reporter The Walvis Bay municipality plans a pilot project at Narraville to install a new sewer line system using so-called trenchless sewer replacement technology. The technology allows for the installation of a sewer line underground without having to open the ground the conventional way by digging trenches. The technology entails a drilling system whereby a drilling head bores a hole in the ground to a required depth. The drill bit then turns horizontal and bores a tunnel to the required point, and at the same time installs the pipes as it goes. “We are currently in the procurement process for a service provider that uses this trenchless sewer replacement technology. We will pilot the
project in Narraville and if proven the right solution, it will be introduced as a standing technique across Walvis Bay', a well-informed source explained yesterday. Trenchless sewer installation is beneficial in built-up areas where trenching disrupts traffic flows or where there is little space available to work.
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TransNamib downs tools Floris Steenkamp Workers at TransNamib in Walvis Bay were among the first of the national rail carrier’s countrywide work force to down tools yesterday, as a salary increase dispute continues. TransNamib’s national management were given a deadline of 21 September to consider workers’ grievances over salary increases. The deadline was not honoured by management and after a meeting at 13:00 yesterday the decision was made to down tools. No train services are available as from yesterday, whilst it is also unknown whether TransNamib’s national management will engage workers with the aim to persuade everyone to return to work.
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Suicide
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Sentrum corporate league
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