The wreck of the Antipolis

In July 1977, the Antipolis and Romelia were bound for Taiwan to the scrap heap. the Kiyo Maru 2, a Japanese tugboat had the difficult task of hauling these two tankers from Greece around the Cape to Taiwan. The tug had stopped off in Abidjan,  West Africa for some minor engine repairs. All went smoothly until the convoy approached Table Bay and faced into the teeth of a North Westerly gale. The Port Captain at Cape Town advised them not to enter Table Bay as he believed the weather was deteriorating and he was concerned that the two tankers would not have enough sea room.
The tow cable that was attached to the Antipolis snagged on something on the seabed, and the Romelia made the situation worse by moving ahead of the Kiyo Maru 2 and getting the cable stuck under the tug boat’s hull.

 Both tankers were blown ashore. The crew of the tug boat was forced to cut through the cable with a gas torch and the top portion of the Antipolis was scuttled. The remains of The Antipolis are still visible above the surface.

Divers need a permit to explore the site as it forms part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. For more information, contact the TMNP Marine Unit (021 783 0234).

Location: Oudekraal 

33° 59′ 2.4″, 18° 21′ 21.96″