In 2002 earthworks began on the construction of the largest aquarium
in the southern hemisphere on Durban's foreshore near the harbor. The concept was designed
by the American company Creative Kingdom.
It involved some 50 independent contractors
including project management specialists,
building and landscape architects, civil,
structural, electrical, hydraulic, Geo technical and aquatic engineers.
The park's overall design incorporates strong local themes
bringing a multicultural Durban flavor to the marine world.This
includes the iconic 1920s cargo shipwreck which is seen here taking shape.
It's open air dolphin stadium has seating for some 1200 spectators.
Among its team of architects was Bruce Douglas a director of Urban Edge Architecture.
What you can see behind me are the beach restaurants that are currently on construction.
Next to that is the ship which also contains some restaurants. And the location of these
restaurants are right on the beach edge only separated by a beach promenade, between the
actual restaurants and the sea's face itself. Below the restaurants we're going to have a zone
that will be activated for beach activities which will include surfing, kite surfing, kayaking;
all the other activities that you would normally associate with a beach like this. Very, very
sheltered area we have here at Vetch's Pier in front of Durban which is probably about the most
sheltered portion of the beach that we have.
Among the specialist hydraulic engineers was Martin Bright.
Currently behind us is the pier which forms part of the sea water extraction system.
This extraction system is unique in that we are going to be using the seabed which will act as
a natural filter and be cleaned by the sea. What we have is 54 well point screens. Now these well
point screens are buried in the sea bed and they're buried in a sort of a window
between minus two meters below the sea bed
level and minus five that allows us to draw water
which will not have any contaminants in it
like iron or manganese. And in addition the water will not be anaerobic.
The pier structure is designed
such that it is very transparent in that
we've got the pier at eight meter bays which
means that you can see right through the structure. In addition it will not
have any impact on the sand replenishment scheme
which is a major part of the Durban beaches.
Now the high rate sand filters are basically going
to provide us and polish the water after it's been
treated through the protein skimmers which have
a disinfection process called ozone. Now ozone is
Now ozone is a unique system which is not
often used in South Africa and this will be one of the largest in the country.
The water from the exhibits overflows through a weir system and then
discharges into a canal, which is called
the point canal system, which will then take the water to the harbor.
The quantity of pipes which are buried in the ground, the processes pipes,
is around about 22 kilometers and within the plant rooms we have eight kilometers.
The number of pumps that we have on the life support systems is around about 460.
The uniqueness of uShaka Marine World is about the fact that we've combined four entertainment
zones into one. The first one is the aquarium component which is an interactive aquarium,
the second one is the retail mix that we've put together here, thirdly the water park and its
thrills and rides and the fourth element, which 65% of world tourism still wants, its beachfront
attractions. So with all those four put together we have a real destination attraction here.
The retail section has a strong Zulu atmosphere that is unique to this part of the world.
The uShaka Marine World opened on the 30th of April 2004
and the following year received the outstanding achievement award
from the themed entertainment association for its thematic, creative design.
The uShaka Marine World was designed to have the largest variety of sharks in the world
including ragged tooth and Zambezi sharks.
And also to accommodate more than 350 species of fish and other sea life.