Cleaning up the coast

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Published on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 07:36

Written by Chris Fourie

Saturday 17 September saw 40 students brave the cold water in the False Bay Yacht Club as part of the UCT Underwater Club’s cleanDIVER event. cleanDIVER, a part of the Underwater Club’s DIVER outreach brand, was a student-organised event that had divers in the water retrieving all manner of rubbish from the harbour floor. The event was run as part of the International Coastal Cleanup campaign, with the club also promoting its principal beneficiary, the Save Our Seas Shark Centre in Kalk Bay.

With divers entering the water at first light, the event lasted over six hours, with students retrieving over 20 bags of rubbish from the harbour floor, including an entire fire hose, a starter motor, an ID book, several boots, and 21 tyres. Official partners in the event included the  SANPARKS  authority as well as the Plastics SA group, who collected and audited the rubbish found.

The event was an unqualified success, attracting 42 registered student participants as well as a number of spectators and well-wishers. Event organiser Ray Siebrits summed up the operation: “We were out there, fighting the scourge of rubbish one dive and one plastic fork at a time. Not only was a great day had by all divers, but a real contribution was made towards marine pollution. The Underwater Club at UCT is committed to marine conservation. Thanks to all those who made it possible and take part in the event next year!”