Government Issues Final Deadline for Removal of Stranded Vessels at Lumley Beach
Deborah Sorie The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has issued a final one-week ultimatum to a private company for the removal of a vessel stranded on Lumley Beach, marking the second ship from the same owner to wash ashore in the area.
Social Media user, Trevor Young, who has been documenting issues along the coastline, reported on Wednesday, January 28, that two vessels are currently stranded on the sand.
This latest incident involves a ship from a company that has previously had vessels run aground in the same area.
After months of communication, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration has issued a “final one-week deadline” to the owners to remove the ships. The countdown began on Monday, January 26, and is set to expire on Monday, February 2.
If the vessels are not removed by next Monday, Maritime will publish a 30-day Notice of Claim.
Should the ships remain unclaimed after the 30-day period, they will be legally classified as “wrecks.”
Once declared wrecks, the Maritime Administration, acting as the “receiver of wreck,” will assume full legal ownership and authority to dispose of the vessels as they see fit.
According to Trevor Young, the stranded vessel is one of two currently beached at Lumley, directly obstructing the ongoing Lumley Beach Cleanup Project.
Well done Mr Young. God bless you for highlighting this maters.