Month: September 2024

SAMSA ramps up efforts to collect debris from containers lost overboard vessels on the Indian Ocean

Pretoria: 22 September 2024

With several dozens of containers having fallen off cargo vessels on the country’s eastern seaboard recently, due to bad wintry weather, and some of their contents – including pharmaceutical material – now washing up on hundreds of kilometres of the Indian Ocean coastline, the South African Maritime Safety Authority SAMSA) has ramped up collection efforts.

SAMSA, in a statement on Friday afternoon said: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is currently in the process of coordinating the cleanup and recovery of shipping containers, flotsam, associated pollutants, and products washing ashore along the South-East coastline of South Africa between the Wild Coast and Mossel Bay.

“This follows the loss of containers from at least three vessels over the past six weeks due to adverse weather conditions. In addition to the flotsam, SAMSA is closely monitoring pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that continue to wash ashore.

“The public is urged not to consume these items under any circumstances as they may pose serious health risks.”

SAMSA announced that working in collaboration with relevant authorities and the owners of the affected vessel; a monitoring, recovery and clean-up plan had been rolled out across the affected area.

“Environmental cleaning companies, Extreme Projects and SpillTech, have been appointed to lead the clean-up efforts. They have set up collection points for debris washing ashore, and the public is encouraged to call the toll-free number 063 404 2128 to report sightings of containers, pharmaceutical bottles, or other debris and to obtain information on the location of drop-off points.

“Members of the public can also report sightings to their local municipality or contact the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on 021 938 3300,” said SAMSA

Update on other related incidents

Oil spill: Algoa Bay

Meanwhile in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, the cleaning up of an oil spill off a cargo vessel currently berthed in Algoa Bay continues, while an investigation into the cause is underway, SAMSA reported of the incident that occured earlier in September 2024.

Shortly after the oil spill discovery, SAMSA confirmed that a handful of penguins in the vicinity were found to have been oiled, and had been evacuated for cleaning.

Said SAMSA: “On 10 September, (Monday) SANParks rangers accessed St. Croix Island and identified six oiled penguins—three heavily oiled and three lightly oiled. The penguins were captured and transported to the local SANCCOB facility for treatment. However, two additional oiled penguins evaded capture. Efforts are ongoing to locate and capture them.

“Further wildlife surveillance in the area is being coordinated with SANCCOB. The public is urged to report any sightings of oiled birds to SANCCOB, and any oiled mammals should be reported to Bayworld officials. Surveillance and monitoring of the affected areas will continue, weather permitting, to mitigate any environmental impact.”

As of the past week, indications by the incident management committee of the Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) led by SAMSA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) were that the oil spill had since been successfully contained and cleaned up, with daily monitoring of the coastline in Algoa Bay returning reports of no further oil spill residue spotted. Additionally, no further wild life was found as affected.

The vessel involved remains in Algoa Bay while an investigation into the incident is underway.

Smoke on cargo vessel : Richards Bay

A cargo vessel, the MV Measrk Cincinatti had to be berthed in Richards Bay a Sunday ago after smoke was detected onboard, both SAMSA and the vessel owner representatives confirmed.

In a brief report, A.P Moller-Maersk Indian Subcontinent, Middle East & Africa senior Media Relations Officer, Adhish Alawani stated: “We can confirm that smoke was reported from a cargo hold on one of our time-chartered vessels, Maersk Cincinnati, around midnight local South African time on September 15, 2024, while the vessel was sailing from Colombo to Port Tanger Med. 

“Maersk Cincinnati is a 15,500 TEU vessel operating on the AE7 service and flies the Hong Kong flag. There were no visible flames, and the temperature in the cargo hold remained under control. Smoke is no longer visible. The crew immediately responded and initiated the required safety protocols on the vessel.

“The ship owners have reported that all the crew members are safe and accounted for. The vessel owners are in touch with the crew to ensure they receive all possible support. The vessel is in stable condition, with all machinery, steering and navigational equipment fully operational,” said Mr Alawani

Grounded MV Ultra Galaxy wreck removal progress, West Coast.

The monitoring of the wreck of the Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, as well as the location of its surroundings on South Africa’s west coast on the Atlantic Ocean continues, pending the formal appointment of salvors to retrieve the vessel’s remains from the shoreline.

In a brief statement this past week, SAMSA confirmed that the tender period for the removal of the wreck had recently been closed with the vessel owner’s insurers, P&I and salvage experts now engagedd with assessment of the tenders received. “Once done, the preferred options will be presented to SAMSA for consideration,” read the statement.

In terms of the conditions on location of the wreck, SAMSA said: “The situation is the same with no significant change in the wreck or her position. In terms of clean up of the oil spill, the response teams remain on the beaches with a huge team to ensure that any, and all debris or oily recharge – even as very minor at this stage – is picked up.”

End.

“Share Your Views!” – SAMSA launches national seafarers’ survey on access to seafaring careers.

Pretoria: 21 September 2024

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is embarking on a seafarers’ opinion soliciting exercise over the next few months and whose goal is to establish South African seafarers’ experiences with regards access to careers in the country’s maritime sector.

Captain Azwimmbavhi Nelwamondo, SAMSA
Chief Examiner

The survey, themed: Access to Seafaring Careers – launched this past week with the placing of an online Notice of Invitation to seafarers and a link to the survey page, on the SAMSA website. This will be followed with placement of the same notice of invitation also on social media platforms. Additionally, registered seafarers will receive the link to the survey in their e-mails with the invitation to complete the survey.

According to a statement by SAMSA’s Chief Examiner, Mr Azwimmbavhi Nelwamondo, the survey is open to all seafarers and will close on 28 February 2025.

About the initiative, Mr Nelwamondo says this is the second survey of its kind targeting seafarers in the country’s maritime industry for their views on matters specific to them, with the first having been conducted some seven years ago.

Mr Nelwamondo said: “The survey seeks to identify the challenges faced by seafarers that could be addressed through regulatory frameworks. The outcomes of the survey will help in directing the efforts of the SAMSA seafarers’ units – Office of the Chief Examiner, Registrar of Seafarers and Seafarer Welfare Office – in addressing the challenges identified, as it was the case with the 2017 survey.

According to Mr Nelwamondo, seafarers’ reaction to the 2017/18 survey was most positive and hugely assisted the organisation in responding to and addressing various pertinent issues raised by that cohort of the country’s maritime industry workforce.  

In that survey held over five months from 02 November 2017 to 31 March 2018, says SAMSA, no less than 1050 seafarers partook in the exercise – a majority of whom were Officers (81%) followed by Ratings at 19%.

Remarkably, analysed data captured indicated that the departments were split unevenly between genders, with a dominance of Males at 89% (88% as Officers and 95% as Ratings) to Females at 11% (12% as Officers and only 5% as Ratings).

Equally significant also was that almost 80% of the participating seafarers were employed, 57% at sea and 20% ashore, split between Officers (44% Engine and 56% Deck), Ratings (32% Engine, Deck 55% and Catering (13%), while 23% of the seafarers in the categories were unemployed.

Said Mr Nelwamondo: “The 2017/18 survey report gave us first insight into South African seafarers, and following to which several steps were taken to address the various matters that reflected a need for address.

“Since the previous survey, SAMSA has undertaken numerous programmes to address issues facing South African seafarers, among them being the following:

  • The promulgation of the Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations 2021
  • Prioritised South Africa’s compliance with the STCW Convention and have undergone numerous inspections for this purpose.
  • Concluded further certificates of Recognition under the STCW Convention to increase flags that accept South African certificates for service onboard their ships.
  • Worked with partners to bring more foreign ship owners/managers to train and recruit South African seafarers.
  • Worked to find solutions (ongoing) to address challenges faced by start-up recruitment agencies, without compromising compliance to the Maritime Labour Convention.

On conclusion of the current survey, says SAMSA: “The feedback/results of the survey will be assessed/analysed to determine how to influence Regulations that affect seafarers’ unemployment, welfare, and gender representation.

Are you a South African seafarer and keen to participate? Then click on the banner below.

End.

15 Crew members of off-shore supply vessel on fire, successfully rescued off South Africa’s southern sea: SAMSA

Pretoria: 12 September 2024

A total 15-member crew were successfully rescued off South Africa’s southern Cape seas on Thursday afternoon after their vessel, an offshore supply vessel caught on fire and had to be abandoned, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) on Thursday.

The OSV, named the AM PRIDE and measuring 66.6 meters long and 16 meters wide, sailing under the flag of Marshall Island, reportedly caught on fire early on Thursday, in an ocean area approximately 48.5 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape province.

According to SAMSA, the casualty vessel’s dangerous situation surfaced at about 10.30am on Thursday after the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch and Response in Cape Town received a call from the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA), advising that the MV AM Pride had fire onboard, close to a FA Platform, and required immediate assistance.

PetroSA’s report to the MRCC at the time, said the statement; was that the fire was located in the ship’s messroom and that it was out of control. Weather conditions prevailing in the area at the time were described as ‘poor’ to ‘bad’ as characterised by a south easterly wind gusting at up to 30 knots per hour, and a swell of between 3.5-5 meters, with a visibility of just seven (7) nautical miles.

The immediate and primary concern was the rescue and evacuation of the 15-member crew onboard, said SAMSA.

Towards this goal, the MRCC said: “A MayDay relay was immediately requested via Telkom Maritime Services for vessels in the area to render assistance. Two vessels identified as in proximity with the casualty vessel, the MV Angelic Peace and MV Thunderbird requested to proceed to assist.”

Ultimately however, a PetroSA helicopter was sent through to assist and was able to retrieve the first group of eight (8) seafarers from a life-raft and onto the FA platform.

The helicopter, said SAMSA, next fetched the seven (7) remaining crew member on the life-raft who where then safely flown to George.

“They will be flown to Cape Town on Friday, joining the eight (8) others scheduled to spend the night on the FA platform prior to being transferred also to Cape Town on Friday morning.

In the meantime, an Emergency Towing Vessel, the Mkhuseli, from African Marine Solution (AMSOL) is on its way to rendezvous with the casualty vessel, scheduled for about 07.30am on Friday,” said SAMSA.

The Amsol owned ETV, according to SAMSA, will retrieve the casualty vessel to a place of refuge, as agreed with the owners.

End.

Mop up underway of containers and pharmaceutical bottles found on the South African eastern coastline: SAMSA

A photo reflective of some of the pharmaceutical material being picked up alongside various areas of South Africa’s coastal on the Indian Ocean (Photo: Supplied)

Pretoria: 12 September 2024

Work to identify a vessel responsible for pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore along the South African east coast from Gqeberha through to nearby north eastern towns on the Indian Ocean coastline, is actively being investigated, says the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

For identification, analysis and safe disposal of the pharmaceutical products SAMSA said it was working through an Incident Management Systems (IMS) committee involving among others, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Disaster Management and the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

The confirmation comes as reports flow from several areas along South Africa’s Sunshine Coast of medicinal products being cited and collected enmasse over the past week or so, this after several cargo vessels traversing this part of the Indian Ocean, reportedly lost collectively close on 200 containers in about eight weeks since July 2024.

One of about 200 containers fallen off several vessels on South Africa eastern Indian Ocean area and from which pharmaceutical products and related are now being collected in various towns and beaches. (Photo: SAMSA)

According to SAMSA, the cargo vessels include the MV Benjamin Franklin, the MV CMA CGM Belem, MV. Maersk Stepnica, MV Rio Grande Express and MSC Antonia.

In a statement in Pretoria on Thursday, SAMSA said in addition to tracking down the specific vessel on which the consignment of pharmaceutical produces might have fallen from, it was also closely monitoring the coastline in collaboration with local authorities to track any further containers or goods that might wash ashore.

“SAMSA is aware of the container that washed ashore on the East Coast near Port St Johns last week. In addition, SAMSA has been informed of pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that have been washing ashore in the Port Alfred, Kenton, Cannon Rocks, and Boknes areas since Monday, 09 September 2024.

“In recent weeks, there have been several incidents involving the loss of containers at sea, including those involving the MV Benjamin Franklin, the MV CMA CGM Belem, MV. Maersk Stepnica, MV Rio Grande Express, MSC Antonia and the MV Ultra Galaxy who suffered a cargo shift, abandoned, and eventually ran aground off the West Coast.

“These incidents highlight the risks posed by severe weather conditions and the challenges of responding to coastal shipping emergencies. SAMSA has been actively involved in response efforts to ensure minimal environmental impact.

“The loss of containers at sea poses potential risks to navigation and the environment, and efforts are underway to monitor and address any hazards that may arise. SAMSA is currently working to identify the vessel responsible for the pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore.”

Crucially, said SAMSA: “The owners of the vessels are fully cooperating with SAMSA and other relevant authorities and have committed to undertaking clean-up operations along the coastline should any contamination or further cargo loss occur.

Meanwhile SAMSA reiterated a call upon vessels at sea and the public to report any sightings of the lost containers to the relevant authorities by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 with the position, container number, and colour of the containers observed.

End

Oil spill in Algoa Bay under investigation: SAMSA

(SAMSA file photo)

Pretoria: 10 September 2024

The South Africa Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) has launched an investigation into an oily substance spillage believed to have come from a vehicle transportation vessel that was anchored in Algoa Bay on Saturday afternoon, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

The oily substance, and whose exact quantity has yet to be established, said SAMSA; was reported after a vessel in the Algoa Bay spotted oil like blobs and an oily sheen on the water, and following to which TNPA Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) investigated.

“The preliminary investigation by the response craft, found an oily substance on the water at about 5pm on Saturday. The launch reported that the oily substance on water was coming from the Motor Vessel (MV) MSC Apollo.

“However, due to the onset of darkness late Saturday, further investigation was postponed. During the course of the Saturday evening SAMSA approached the vessel insurers to provide oil spill trajectory modelling from ITOPF (International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited). This would ensure that the next day’s spill response, would be focused in the appropriate area.

Early on Sunday, SAMSA reported that an Incident Management meeting was held by the IMOrg members, consisting of SAMSA, TNPA, DFFE, SANPARKS Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), as well as the vessel agent and vessel insurer’s representatives in South Africa.

IMOrg, a virtual organisation chaired by the Department of Transport (DoT) and SAMSA as the co-chair and secretariat, is South Africa’s preparedness forum for Government and industry joint response to oil spills within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of approximately 1.5-million km² across the Atlantic, Southern and Indian Oceans.

IMOrg’ s membership is drawn from across various sectors of society inclusive of State departments including the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and public institutions, private companies as well as non-governmental organisations. IMOrg is responsible for implementation of South Africa’s national oil spill contingency plan (NOSCP).

“During the meeting,” said SAMSA: ” arrangements were made to speedily launch the necessary efforts to both determine the cause of the oil spillage from the MSC Apollo, the extent of the reported oil spill, as well as how to contain its spread in the Algoa Bay region and to protect the wildlife on the nearby islands of St Croix and Bird Island.

“Surveillance would involve sea patrols by boat, aerial surveillance by helicopter and drones launched from oil response boats as well as coastal foot patrols along the beach areas that were identified by ITOPF is likely to be impacted.

“A surveillance flight by rotary wing aircraft was carried out on Sunday afternoon in strong winds. The flight plan was directed by the results of the ITOPF modelling and included the St Croix Island group. The flight was attended by Officials from SANPARKS and SAMSA. No oil or oily sheen was spotted. The SANPARKS rangers conducted a foot patrol of the beaches between the Port of Ngqura and Sundays River. No oil was spotted.

“At the 2nd Incident Management meeting on Monday morning, it was agreed to attempt to clean the stains off the hull of the MSC Apollo while she was at anchor to stop any oily sheen being transferred to the water. The cleaning of the hull could no to be done on Sunday due to rough seas.

“The weather is expected to subside by Tuesday, and this will allow the SANPARKS rangers to access the St Croix Island group. In preparation for the landing of the SANPARKS rangers tomorrow, the vessel insurers have agreed to provide a drone to scan the islands for any oiled birds. This will help inform the planning of any oiled wildlife response by SANPARKS and SANCCOB

“The public is requested to inform SANCCOB of any oiled birds spotted along the coast. Oiled mammals can be reported to the officials from Bay World. More details shall be made as and when received,” said SAMSA

End.

Search on for containers lost overboard off South Africa’s Indian Ocean: SAMSA

Pretoria: 03 September 2024

Brief interviews with SAMSA ship surveyor, Ms Mbali Mbonambi and 2OPIC official, Mr Vishal Pragraj while on aerial search for containers recently lost at sea on South Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline.

A search for cargo containers lost overboard off a number of vessels along South Africa’s Indian Ocean corridor over the last month continues, while two of the vessels most recently affected – the MV CMA CMG Belem, currently in the port of Ngqurha, and the MSC Antonio, now safely berthed in Cape Town – continue with their onboard cargo loads adjustments.

This is according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in a statement on Monday afternoon and in which it confirmed the safe arrival of the MSC Antonia at the port of Cape Town.

The vessel – a container ship sailing under the flag of Liberia – was the latest reported to haved suffered bad wintry weather conditions along South Africa’s Indian Ocean corridor leading to a loss of as many as 40 containers overboard, and for which a navigational warning has since been issued, along with a public call to report any sightings of the containers along the country’s eastern seaboard.

In the statement on Monday, SAMSA reported that the MSC Antonio had safely arrived in Cape Town on the day following an incident on 28 August 2024, during which severe weather conditions led to the loss of 46 containers overboard and damage to 305 containers on board.

“The incident occurred approximately 29 nautical miles northeast of Port St. Johns while the vessel was en-route from Colombo to New York. In light of the container loss, a navigation warning has been issued to all vessels operating in the affected area.

“The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) urges all maritime operators and the public to exercise caution. We request that any sightings of containers or debris along the South African coastline be reported immediately to local authorities or SAMSA by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 with the position, number, and colour of the containers if observed,” said SAMSA

The MSC Antonio incident followed shortly after the CMA CMG Belem also docked for a safe berth at the post of Ngqurha a few days earlier, having reportedly lost close to a 100 containers overboard due to bad weather, in an area adjacent Richards Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal provincial coast line.

The Malta-flagged CMA CGM Belem cargo vessel at shelter in Algoa Bay, near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province, South Africa on Sunday 18 Augusts 2024; after losing numerous containers at sea in the Indian Ocean on Thursday evening. (Photo. SAMSA)

At the time, SAMSA reported that the CMA CGM Belem, a container ship sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay on the night of 15 August 2024, resulting in a significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers overboard.

The vessel, which measuring 336 meters in length, 51 meters in height, and a draft of 14.8 meters, had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay but was redirected to Gqeberha.

On Friday last week, the ship’s insurer representatives in South Africa launched a five hour aerial surveillance and search for the vessel’s lost containers after several sightings of floating containers along the Wild Coast area of the Eastern Cape province were reported to SAMSA.

One of as many as 19 containers spotted at sea in an area along the Transkei Wild Coast during an aerial search on Friday last week (Photo: SAMSA)

However, during the search, while about 20 containers could be spotted by the search team in a fixed wing aircraft, it could not be readily established that any belonged to the CMA CGM Belem.

That notwithstanding, a SAMSA representative that was part of the aerial search team said in a brief interview that it remained important that action be taken to locate any containers still floating in the ocean area in the interest of safety of life and property at sea, as well as environmental protection.

On Monday afternoon, SAMSA confirmed the issuance of a navigational warning to vessels traversing the ocean area, as well as a public appeal for reports of any sightings of floating containers.

Said SAMSA: “Efforts are ongoing to search for the lost containers. The safety of the crew, the vessel, and the environment remains our top priority. SAMSA wishes to remind the public of the potential and unnecessary danger that may arise from attempting to salvage any wreckage that may wash ashore.

“We strongly urge the public to avoid handling any debris and instead contact the authorities, who will arrange for the safe salvage and disposal of the wreckage.”

In Cape Town, the MSC Antonia would undergo a comprehensive assessment and necessary repairs, said SAMSA adding that: “Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, and the ship was able to continue its voyage safely despite the incident.

“Further updates will be provided as the situation develops and more information becomes available.”

End