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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6738 TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Salvage operation of stricken Japanese fishing vessel to commence next week
inside Quintun Erasmus arrested innocently Page 3
Air force members in accident Page 4
Commercial divers used hi-tech eco-sounding yesterday to determine possible underwater damage to the Japanese tuna long liner, Fukuseki Maru, that ran aground in the Cape Cross area on Wednesday (21 March). The fact that the vessel is rolling from port to starboard in heavy swell makes diving conditions impossible, hence the use of echosounding technology, explained salvage expert Paul van der Merwe of Walvis Bay Diving yester-day. Walvis Bay Diving is a leading local salvage, diving and launch
service provider. The salvage vessel SA Amandla (owned by Ansol) in the meantime arrived at the scene on Sunday where the vessel ran aground. A helicopter was used to rescue some of the crew from the stricken vessel, whilst salvage equipment was also dropped on the vessel's deck at the same time. A salvage team arrived at the scene yesterday and preparations for
salvage promptly commenced. According to van der Merwe, sea conditions are not yet favourable to make the first attempt for SA Amandla to pull the stricken vessel from the rocks. The salvage operators are waiting for higher seas next week during the spring tide and in the meantime would decrease the vessel's weight, among others by lifting 80 tons of Continues on Page 2
More Congolese arrested in drug trade
Skydiving Spectacle on Ind. Day
Page 7
Sharlien Tjambari
An alarming pattern now developing in the drug trade at the coast The Namibian Police, Narraville Neighbourhood Watch in Walvis Bay and the Mondesa Neighbourhood Watch in Swakopmund arrested two Congolese nationals during an anti-drug sting operation in Swakopmund on Friday. The arrest of foreigners, mostly refugees from the Osire refugee camp, on drug possession charges has risen to alarming rates in
recent weeks. The Police says foreigners are stationed across Namibia in the drug trade, but more specifically in Walvis Bay and Swakop-
mund. These Congolese nationals found a loophole in the system to apply for refugee status in Namibia. In actual Continues on Page 2
Kudus lose in Windhoek Page 15