The Treasure sinks

The bulk ore carrier, Treasure, was damaged in a storm out at sea and came into Cape Town Harbour to be inspected for damage. The damage which it is believed was caused by a collision with a floating container that had fallen off another ship, was assessed to be too great to be repaired and it was decided to tow the ship into the deep ocean where it could be safely sunk.

Unfortunately, as it was being towed away from the harbour there was a storm and the tow rope broke leaving the ship adrift - as it was letting in water it soon sank, early on Friday 23 June 2000.

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The actual spill was comparatively small - 1300 tons of fuel oil leaked from the ship's bunkers.

The problem was that once the ship sank the weather remained very calm so the slick did not break up. This, combined with the close proximity of the slick to two of the largest African penguin colonies (Dassen and Robben Islands), made this into a wildlife disaster of major proportions.