SOUTH AFRICA: Three adults and a young child died when the small speed boat that were in capsized in the wake of a larger barge on the Vaal River over the weekend.

Stepping down after a two year term as the Chair of the International Salvage Union this month, Captain Nicholas Sloane will continue as a member of the ISU Executive Committee. He is succeeded by John Witte of Donjon Marine, USA.

SOUTH AFRICA: Work to repair damage caused by the recent storms in the Cape resulted in the flooding and washing away of the northern section of the Camps Bay tidal pool began today.

SOUTH AFRICA: Reacting to advice from the Natal Sharks Board, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has closed all of Durban’s beaches following heavy rains which have caused damage to shark nets along the coast.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority has announced the appointment of a new Acting CEO (ACEO) as well as the reinstatement of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) who has been on suspension for over two years.

INTERNATIONAL: One of the two requirements that will see the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA) come into force was reached yesterday when the Republic of Nicaragua became the 22^nd State to become party to the Agreement by depositing its instrument of accession.

SOUTH AFRICA: Strategically located along the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town’s blue economy is a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the annual boat show, boatica, is continuing to evolve to boost the city’s profile in this sector.

SOUTH AFRICA:  Six maritime start-ups from six countries signed on to a five-day bootcamp hosted by OceanHub Africa at their Cape Town offices last week.