Department Approves Abnormal Load Application for 37 Ton Yacht | Western Cape Government

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Department Approves Abnormal Load Application for 37 Ton Yacht

29 June 2015

Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

Last week, the Department of Transport and Public Works approved an abnormal load application, from Teemane Crane (Pty) Ltd, for the transportation of a 31 meter, 37 ton yacht. The yacht was being transported from the Southern Wind Shipyard in Athlone to the Cape Town Harbour in the early hours of Saturday morning (27 June 2015).

I was present as the yacht was being prepared for transportation, and was part of the convoy accompanying it to its destination at Cape Town Harbour.

The dimensions of the yacht are 31 702 mm (length), 6 905 mm (width) 4 410 mm (height) and weight is 37 284 kg. The laden dimensions (including vehicles) was  35 514 mm (length), 6 905 mm (width), 5 390 mm (height), 16 375 mm (wheelbase) and total mass 73 344 kg. The yacht is valued at €9.5 million (Euros).

Certain vehicles and loads cannot be moved on public roads without exceeding the limitations in terms of the dimensions and/or mass as prescribed in the Regulations of the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996). Where such a vehicle or load cannot be dismantled without disproportionate effort, expense or risk of damage, into units that can travel or be transported legally, it is classified as an abnormal load. When the movement of an abnormal load is considered to be in the economic and/or social interest of the country, a special permit may be issued to allow it to operate on a public road for a limited period.

Permits are normally issued by the Provincial Road Authorities and, if necessary, input is obtained from local and metropolitan authorities.

A permit is then issued with certain conditions, which include a prescribed route for transportation as well as appropriate travel time restrictions as prescribed by the relevant municipality. In this instance four (4) City of Cape Town Traffic Services vehicles and personnel were deployed to escort the combination on a detailed route which was approved by Cape Town City Council.

Abnormal loads transported within the City limits must travel within the restricted times for transportation, which exclude weekday exclude peak hours (05:30 – 09:30 and 15:00 – 19:00) and limited to before 06:00 on a weekend.

The abnormal load travelled on the prescribed route from Athlone Industrial area: Turfhall Road, to Jakes Gerwel Drive, Klipfontein Road, Duinefontein Road, Robert Sobukwe Road, 35th Avenue, Jan Van Riebeeck Drive, Giel Basson Drive, Bosmansdam Road, Plattekloof Road, Koeberg Road, Boundary Road, Marine Drive, Duncan Road,before ultimately arriving at the Port of Cape Town.

The yacht was officially launched on Sunday, 28 June 2015, and named Seawave.

As the roads authority for the Western Cape, the Department of Transport and Public Works is tasked with processing and issuing abnormal load permits. Every year thousands of applications are processed to assist entities with the transportation of loads that otherwise could not be transported under normal circumstances.

Abnormal Load Permits Issued 2014/2015 and first two months of 2015/2016

Abnormal Loads: April 2014-March 2015

Month Number
April 633
May 773
June 831
July 955
August 921
September 869
October 1031
November 923
December 627
January 641
February 743
March 774
Total 9721

 

Abnormal Loads: April 2015-May 2015

Month Number
April 569
May 620
Total 1189

 

The management of the yacht manufacturing company, Southern Wind Shipyard, as well as the transportation company, Teemane Crane (Pty) Ltd, extended their gratitude at the levels of professionalism and efficiency exhibited by the departmental officials who processed their application, and ensured that the load could be transported without unnecessary delay.

The positive impact of these on the economic well-being of the province and on job creation is significant. My department remains committed to ensuring that applications are processed timeously, and that loads are transported safely and with minimal disruption to other road users, to their various destinations.

Media Enquiries: 

Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Tel: 021 483 8954
Cell: 084 233 3811
E-mail: siphesihle.dube@westerncape.gov.za