Salvage work on the grounded Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, MV Ultra Galaxy, beached on its side in a remote area of South Africa’s west coast since early July, has taken another turn after the vessel broke apart due to yet another spell of a stormy wintry weather at the weekend, leading to an oil spillage, SAMSA reported on Sunday.
In a statement released in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon, SAMSA said that as a direct result of this latest incident, an oil spill contingency plan had been immeditately activated, with as many as 125 people from local communities enlisted in the mop up phase.
Said SAMSA: “The grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, has broken into four sections overnight, leading to an oil spill. All attempts are being made to contain the spill within the immediate area, and cleaning operations will continue.
“A full assessment is currently being conducted by both aerial and surface surveys. This follows the severe and disruptive weather that continues to batter the Western and Northern Cape coastlines.
“At one stage, 6.8-meter swells struck the wreck every 15 seconds, and the massive force of this constant battering caused the accommodation (section) to first break off, which then led to a number of larger cracks on the hull, forward of the accommodation.
“A pre-prepared Oil Spill Contingency Plan was initiated this (Sunday) morning, and additional personnel have been drafted in to assist with cleaning the spill. One hundred and twenty-five (125) people were recruited from the local community to assist with the clean-up operation, and the communities in the area have been very supportive throughout this operation,” said SAMSA.
According to SAMSA, this latest development occurred just after earlier in the week, salvors had managed to remove several lube oil drums and about eight (8) tons of marine gas oil from the fuel tanks of the wreck.
“All essential resources needed to deal with the oil spill have been mobilized. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) remains on standby, ready to respond should seabirds become affected.
“An Orange level 6 warning for damaging winds and waves was issued earlier in the week, with conditions expected to last until Monday, with the swell subsiding by Wednesday. Active salvage work will resume once it is safe to access the wreck,” said SAMSA.
Meanwhile, members of the public on the West Coast, from Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay, are requested to look out for any debris that may wash up on the beach, such as cargo bags, steel hatch covers, and other flotsam. SAMSA said any findings should be reported to SAMSA through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 or 012 938 3303.
“The public is also advised not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves. It is important to properly dispose of any debris to minimize harm to people and the environment. Further details will be shared as they become available,” said SAMSA
With adverse weather conditions over the western part of South Africa having slowly subsided over the past week, salvage work on the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, beached in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean coastline near Duiwegat, has gathered pace, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
However, with predictions of more severe weather conditions again this weekend, projected at Level 6 (an Orange Warning denoting a major cold front characterised by damaging winds and high ocean water waves) from Sunday through to Tuesday next week, according to the South African Weather Services, this may have negative impacts on the progress being made.
In a media statement update on Thursday, SAMSA said crucially, the immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation central to which was the search and recovery of flotsam and other debris from the ship, and sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean; had been successfully conducted.
SAMSA reported: “Salvage work on the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, is continuing at pace. The vessel ran aground on the evening of Tuesday, the 9th of July 2024, off the coast of Duiwegat, just south of Brand se Baai on the West Coast.
“The ship was abandoned by its crew of 18 Filipino seafarers after developing an excessive list. The crew is now safely back in the Philippines.
“The immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation has concluded. This phase included the search and recovery of flotsam and other debris from the ship and sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean. A new salvage company, Smit International, has since been appointed to carry on the next phase.
“On Tuesday, (23 July 2024) dive inspections were conducted to recheck the structural integrity of the ship and fuel tanks. In the coming days, a specialized monitoring system will be installed to track the ship’s movement, stresses, and bending moments. This system will help determine the best method to safely bring the ship upright and remove it from the beach.
“Additionally, a bathymetric survey is being conducted in the water surrounding the ship and further off the coastline. A Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) will be brought in and anchored offshore to help stabilize the ship,” SAMSA said.
SAMSA also repeated its plea to the public exposed to the geographic environment of the casualty vessel, both on and offshore, to exercise caution in interaction with debris and related material flowing from the area.
Said SAMSA: “Members of the public on the West Coast, from Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay, are requested to look out for any debris that may wash up on the beach, such as cargo bags, steel hatch covers, and other flotsam. Any findings should be reported to SAMSA through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 or 012 938 3303.
“The public is also advised not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves. It is important to properly dispose of any debris to minimize harm to people and the environment.
“The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) remains on standby, ready to respond should an oil spill occur, and seabirds become affected.
“The Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy (previously known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy) is a 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel built in 2008. At the time of its distress call, she was en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania,” said SAMSA, adding that where necessary, further details will be shared as they become available.
Maltese flagged new generation ultra large container vessel, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin departed from South Africa on Tuesday night after a weekend of cargo hold examination and strenghtening following to a week of adverse weather at sea and during which dozens of containers were lost overboard in the Indian Ocean. (Photo: SAMSA)
Pretoria: 18 July 2024
Efforts to locate more than three dozen goods containers that fell off at sea from one of the world’s biggest cargo containerships in the world currently, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, while sailing on the Indian Ocean alongside South Africa a week ago, continue in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape; according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
That is, even as the new generation ultra large Maltese flagged container vessel has departed from Algoa Bay where it had sought shelter from adverse weather, and to have her cargo hold strengthened for the rest of her journey to western Europe, confirmed SAMSA on Thurssday.
The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin had anchored in Algoa Bay on Friday last week, after a harrowing bad weather experience on the Indian Ocean along South Africa, and during which she reported a loss of forty-four (44) containers overboard.
According to SAMSA, the incident occurred in the Indian Ocean earlier in the morning of 09 July 2024 and during which she reported a collapsed container stack. The vessel then diverted to Algoa Bay, where she anchored in sheltered waters to undergo a comprehensive damage assessment inclusive of the remaining cargo still onboard.
A ship navigation warning had since been issued by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at SAMSA’s Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town, and remains in place.
On Thursday morning, in a statement, SAMSA said: “The ultra-large container vessel, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin has left Algoa Bay. She sailed on the evening of Tuesday, 16 July 2024. She had been anchored in sheltered waters in Algoa Bay since last week, undergoing a comprehensive assessment while her cargo was being secured. The vessel had reported a collapsed container stack and the loss of 44 containers at sea.
“The vessel was cleared to sail, after the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) assessed a cargo securing plan that was received from the Owners, to secure the damaged cargo stacks. After the cargo stacks were secured in Algoa Bay, the Owners identified a suitable weather window to conduct the passage around the Cape of Good Hope.
“To ensure that any settling of cargo during the sea passage is dealt with, the Owner has opted to keep a Cargo Securing Specialist and a team of Rope Access Technicians (RATs) on board for the voyage northward.
“By Wednesday, 17 July 2024, at noon, the vessel was reported making good speed towards Cape Agulhas and on Thursday morning she was passing St Helena Bay.
“The next phase of the operation is to understand the fate of the containers that are on the seabed. It is highly probable that these containers are located on the seabed outside of South African waters in depths of more than 500 meters. SAMSA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) will be working closely with the owner and their insurers to chart a way forward regarding the containers on the seabed.
“A navigation warning to all vessels operating in the area remains active, advising them to navigate with caution. Vessels and the public are urged to report any sightings of the lost containers to the relevant authorities by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) on telephone number 021 938 3300 with the position, number, and colour of the containers if observed,” said SAMSA
SALVAGE WORK ON COURSE: The grounded Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the Ultra Galaxy, on its side, showing the breach of its cargo holds due to battering by huge wages driven by a cold front that swept the Western Cape province of South Africa in the past week. (Photo: SAMSA)
Pockets of calmer weather off South Africa’s west coast have injected much needed impetus to salvage work of the grounded Panama-flagged general cargo ship, the MV Ultra Galaxy, now lying on its side, beached, on a remote location of the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Cape Town; the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported on Tuesday.
According to SAMSA, top priority is the extraction and relocation of the vessel’s fuel and oils on board to prevent possible environmental polution at sea and the adjacent land area.
In a statement issued Tuesday following a meeting of the incident management team, SAMSA further confirmed that during the recent extreme weather experienced throughout the whole of last week and during which the vessel ran aground, the ship’s hatch covers were eventually dislodged and detached, leaving the cargo holds vulnerable. Consequently, a significant portion of the ship’s fertilizer cargo was swept away by the sea.
With welcome calmer weather, a helicopter could be used since the weekend to conduct inspection of the vessel (Photo: SAMSA)
In the wake of this development, two distinct warnings have since been issued to – on the one hand – vessels traversing the ocean in the area, and on the other hand, the general public, for all to be on the lookout for debris and other flotsam that may either be still at sea, or washed ashore by currents and winds.
SAMSA said: “Salvage work on the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, continued over the weekend. The vessel ran aground on the evening of Tuesday, the 9th of July 2024, off the coast of Duiwegat, just south of Brand se Baai on the West Coast.
“The ship was abandoned by her crew of 18 Filipino seafarers after developing an excessive list. The crew is now safely back in the Philippines.
“In light of the recent extreme weather, the ship’s hatch covers were dislodged and detached from the vessel, leaving the cargo holds vulnerable. Consequently, a significant portion of the ship’s fertilizer cargo was swept away by the sea.
“While some hatch covers have been retrieved, a navigation alert has been issued for ships in the vicinity. Current efforts are focused on removing the fertilizer bags that are washing up on the shoreline. It is expected that most of the fertilizer in the individual cargo bags would have dissolved and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) is implementing an environmental monitoring program.
“The search for flotsam and other debris from the ship will be expanding over the next few days, as the salvage crew tries to utilize the good weather between cold fronts.”
Photos of cargo hold steel hatch covers found strewn across a beach near where the Ultra Galaxy went aground on the west of South Africa last Tuesday evening, with salvage personnel on site to collect away both these, debris and other flotsom being found in the area. (Photos: SAMSA)
According to SAMSA, with the drift pattern expected to be in a southerly direction, members of the public on the West Coast south of Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay were being requested to look out for any debris that may wash up on the beach.
This includes items such as cargo bags, steel hatch covers, and other flotsam, and which should all be reported to SAMSA through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 or 012 938 3303.
SAMSA made a special appeal to the public to not collect or attempt to remove any items found by themselves but to rather alert officials through the contact details provided.
Said SAMSA: “Members of the public are also requested not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves. It is important to properly dispose of any debris safely in order to minimize harm to people and the environment.
Meanwhile, according to SAMSA, salvage teams and divers had started with sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean. “They are also investigating the structural integrity of the vessel to plan a way forward to secure and safely remove the oil and wreck from the area.
“At this stage of the operation, the vessel poses no new environmental threats, however all efforts are being made to monitor the situation and put preventative measures in place. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) remains on standby, ready to respond should an oil spill occur, and seabirds become affected,” said SAMSA.
The Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy (previously known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy) is a 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel built in 2008. At the time of its distress call early on Monday a week ago, she was on her way to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
Further public updates would be shared as they become available, said SAMSA.
The Panama flagged general cargo vessel, MV Ultra Galaxy in its beaching position after its grounding late on Tuesday night in remote coastal area of South Africa’s west coast, known as Duiwegat. (Photo: Supplied)
Pretoria: 12 July 2024
Work on extracting contents onboard a grounded Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, now virtually beached almost on its side, in a remote coastal area of the Western Cape, South Africa, north west of Cape Town, is fully underway; says the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
Contronted by bitterly cold, wet and very windy weather conditions – and predicted to endure till next week – in a remote coastal area known as Duiwegat, characterised by a patchy, rocky landscape with stretches of soft sandy beaches, teams of salvage workers began gathering en masse, with speed on Tuesday, with the single objective of relieving the stricken vessel of its cargo.
This, according to SAMSA, comprises mainly its low sulphur fuel, hydraulic oils and its shipment of fertiliser.
The work is being coordinated by an Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) led team of officials and experts made up of representatives of diverse groups of stakeholders from both the public, private and nongovernmental sectors.
The IMOrg, led jointly by the Department of Transport and SAMSA, is South Africa’s joint Government and industry preparedness forum launched in 2017 for oil spills. Its membership is drawn broadly from across various sectors of society inclusive of State departments, private sector industries, enviromental groups, as well as other non-governmental institutions.
SAMSA reported in a statement late on Thursday that: “Salvage work is continuing on the stricken Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, which has gone aground off the coast of Duiwegat just South of Brand se Baai on the West Coast.
“Expert salvage teams are now on site conducting a survey of the surrounding areas and the vessel. All efforts are currently focused on preparing the equipment that will allow salvors to access the vessel once the heavy weather subsides.
“Pollution clean-up teams are already working on removing flotsam from the beaches. Additionally, SAMSA has issued a Navigation Warning to all ships in the area to be on the lookout for any flotsam, as these may present a danger to navigation,” said SAMSA.
According to SAMSA, the 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel built in 2008, was sailing to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania when it was abandoned by its crew of 18 Filipino seafarers after developing an excessive list followed by a subsequent grounding at 22h06 (local time) on Tuesday evening.
A preliminary assessment established that the vessel, positioned approximately 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay at the time of its rendering a casualty, had a full load of fertilizer in bags on board, in addition to its own low sulphur bunkering fuel and hydraulic and related oils, said SAMSA
After abandoning the vessel, its 18 crew members, all Filipinos, were safely rescued from a life raft and evacuated first to St Helena Bay where they received routine medical attention and attendant hospitality.
With the crew safely rescued, said SAMSA: “all efforts are now fully focused on salvaging the vessel. Further details will be shared as they become available.”
The Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy; seemingly on its side after running aground on Tuesday evening (South African time) off a remote coastal area known as Brand se Baai on the West Coast of the country. (Photo: Supplied)
Pretoria: 10 July 2024
A stricken Panama flagged cargo ship, the MV Ultra Galaxy that was sailing alongside South Africa on the Atlantic Ocean and got abandoned by its crew of 18 seafarers after a heavy listing, has gone to ground, with efforts now at high speed to prevent a fuel and oil spill, as well as salvage its fertiliser cargo, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed on Wednesday.
The confirmation of the grounding of the casualty vessel on Tuesday evening (22h06 local time), is the latest and most dreaded development since news of the cargo ship being in trouble, as increasily listing at sea on Monday broke, leading to the successful rescue and evacuation of its crew to Cape Town on Tuesday morning.
According to SAMSA, preliminary indications are that the vessel has a full load of fertilizer in bags on board. She also has low sulphur bunkering fuel in addition to hydraulic and related oils.
In a media statement following a meeting of the country’s interim incident management forum (IMOrg), SAMSA confirmed that salvage operations had been scaled up, with two tugs already enroute to the location of the casualty vessel, while other measures were being rolled out for contaiment of any possible spills of the vessel’s cargo contents.
The IMOrg, under the Department of Transport, is South Africa’s joint Government and industry preparedness forum for oil spills launched in 2017. Its membership is drawn broadly from across various sectors of society inclusive of State departments, private sector industries, enviromental groups, as well as other non-governmental institutions.
“Salvage operations are currently underway for the stricken vessel, Ultra Galaxy, off the coast of Brand se Baai on the West Coast. On Monday one tug was dispatched and arrived at the location of the listing of the general cargo vessel on Tuesday. Another tug with more personnel and extra equipment departed from Cape Town on Tuesday evening to assist in the salvage efforts,” said SAMSA.
According to SAMSA, the rescue operation commenced early Monday after an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert from the vessel, positioned approximately 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay, was detected at 03:00 local time, prompting an immediate response.
” Following the EPIRB alert, a Mayday relay was broadcast to nearby vessels. Three ships closest to the casualty vessel—the MV Fivos, MV Rio Grande Express, and a fishing vessel, the FV Malachite—were diverted to assist. Weather conditions at the time included winds of up to 12 knots per hour and swells between five and six meters.
“The rescue vessels successfully located a life raft in the water and confirmed that there were 18 seafarers – all Filipino – onboard. A coordinated rescue operation ensured the survivors were safely transferred to the FV Malachite and transported to St Helena Bay.
“The Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy (previously known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy) is a 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel built in 2008. At the time of its distress call early on Monday, it was en-route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
“With the crew safely rescued, all efforts are now fully focused on salvaging the vessel.
“Further details will be shared as they become available.”
Day of the Seafarer 2024: Durban. 25 June 2024. Senior government officials, heads of organisations and companies, seaferarers and others attending, devoting a minute’s silence in memory of South Africa’s 11 fishermen lost at sea, and presumed dead in May 2024.
Pretoria: 04 July 2024
South Africa joined the global maritime community on June 25, the Day of the Seafarer, to honour and pay tribute to seafarers, in an event hosted in three of the country’s coastal cities of Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in partnership with the Department of Transport (DoT) and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) led the event in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, while the DoT held base in Cape Town, and the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) hosted the Gqeberha leg.
SAMSA and the maritime captains saluted the endeavours of the seafarers who risk their lives at sea for months on end, annually.
Ushered by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with the theme: “Seafarers’ contribution to making the maritime sector a safer workplace”, key speakers at the SAMSA event included Mr Dumisani Ntuli; Chief Director: Maritime Policy and Legislation at the DoT, Mr Tau Morwe, SAMSA Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), along with representatives of maritime sector companies, among them; Mediterranean Shipping Company (MCS), South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (SASOA), and Fender Care.
Mr Mahesh Fakir: SAMSA Board ChairpersonMr Dumisani Ntuli.Chief Director: Maritime Policy and Legislation. Department of TransportMs Siphumelele Gcaba Fender Care Representative
True to the spirit of the theme of the Day, the gathering in Durban dedicated a minute of silence in remembrance of the 11 South African crewmen who tragically lost their lives after their Cape Town based fishing trawler rapidly sank in the Atlantic Ocean on 17 May 2024. The fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, according to reports at the time, had 20 crew members on board, with nine (9) having survived the ordeal after being rescued.
SAMSA’s Board Chair, Mr. Mahesh Fakir, reflected on the incident as indicative of the most challenging working environments seafarers in South Africa and global have to deal with as well as vital role they continue to play to the world economy.
He noted that an investigation was still underway on the tragic Cape Town fishing vessel incident.
Mr Tau Morwe. Acting CEO. South African Maritime Safety Authority
Also, in his opening remarks, speaking on the theme of the day and stressing the pivotal role seafarers play in ensuring safety in the maritime sector Mr Morwe, said: “The (Day of the Seafarer 2024) theme serves as a reminder of the crucial role that seafarers play in ensuring their own safety and the safety of the vessels while navigating the unpredictable sea. The maritime industry is a challenging and demanding environment where seafarers face numerous risks.”
“It is through their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safety to overcome challenges and ensure the smooth operation of the maritime sector. As a South African Maritime Safety Authority, we share this responsibility. We pay tribute to all the seafarers that have been injured, lost their lives at sea, or have been suffering from trauma because of their service.”
Captain Brynn Adamson, TNPA Harbour Master at the port of Port Elizabeth, also shared a message of support to the contribution of seafarers towards their safety and wellbeing.
“As TNPA, the custodian of all the ports in South Africa, we take the role of embedding safety not only in marine operations exceptionally seriously, but also, ensuring that safety is cascaded to our tenants, port users, vessel masters, terminal operators, through our licenses, lease arrangements, incident management procedures.
“As one of the largest employers of seafarers in South Africa, TNPA pledges and reaffirms to the safety and most importantly, the well-being of seafarers that visit our 8 ports and all seafarers calling our shores. We take this opportunity to recognise the contribution that all seafarers make in our daily lives.”
Lending support to the focus of sentiment on the day, on behalf of government, Mr Ntuli of the DoT highlighted the government’s efforts in creating employment opportunities for seafarers in the country, outlining the plans that are in place.
“We have advocated for a homegrown ship as well as increase flagging to assist our seafarers to access high employment opportunities. The Merchant Shipping Act which is under reconstruction in a form of a Merchant Shipping Bill will introduce coastal shipping for the country and its regions which will promote also employment, skills and development,” said Mr Ntuli.
Meanwhile, as has become standard practice by the DoT and SAMSA during celebration of the Day of the Seafarer annually, pupils in grades 10 to 12 from about 12 schools in the KwaZulu Natal province partook in the event, as were exhibitors such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), African Marine Solutions (AMSOL), Moses Kotane Institute (MKI), Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA), Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), and KZN Department of Transport.
The event also encompassed a panel discussion on various subjects such as safety and wellbeing (psychological, emotional, and physical health) of seafarers as well as the advancement of technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) on whether it has an impact on job security of seafarers.
The panel discussion was led by Capt. Tshepo Motloutsi, a senior manager for maritime policy at SAMSA’s Centre of Policy, Legal and Regulation, in which participants include Mr Michael Manqele, lecturer at Durban University of Technology (DUT), Cap. Rodrego Thompson, a ship surveyor at SAMSA, Reverend Forbes Maupa from the Durban Seafarer Mission, Ms Tracy Myeza, Chief Engineer of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) tugs, and Ms Zama Mkhize, Tug Master at TNPA.
For more visuals of the event, a large portion of which was livestreamed, please click on the following SAMSA Facebook posts links in succession.
South Africa’s state of readiness for effectively managing marine pollution, but particularly in the event of major oil spills in its oceans waters and adjacent inland waterways comes under focus once more this year, this time in Durban over two days next week, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial leg of the two-day roadshow, on Tuesday and Wednesday (04-05 June 2024), scheduled for the Durban port’s ‘N-Shed’ is the third of its kind in recent months at cities on South Africa’s 3200km coastline, with an estimated 200 people expected to participate from across the public, private and non-governmental institutions.
Among these will be private sector representatives of national and regional marine services providers including African Marine Solutions (Amsol), DRIZIT, SPILLTECH, environmental groups including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and SANCCOB, SAMSA and Transnet, as well as among others, representatives of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and Department of Transport (DoT), which is tasked with ensuring South Africa’s general preparedness for marine pollution prevention.
According to SAMSA: “The Department of Transport (DoT) has a legal responsibility of providing and fulfilling statutory obligations towards marine pollution prevention response of the Republic of South Africa’s coastline of more than 3 000 kilometres in terms of powers provided in the Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 of 1981, Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 2 of 1986 and in the Marine Pollution (Intervention) Act 64 of 1987.
“The Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 of 1981 states in its preamble the Act aims: “To provide for the protection of the marine environment from pollution by oil and other marine harmful substances, and for that purpose to provide for the prevention and combating of pollution of the sea by oil and other harmful substances; to determine liability in certain respects for loss or damage caused by the discharge of oil from ships, tankers and offshore installations; and to provide for matters connected therewith”.
However, says SAMSA; in ensuring that requirements of the legislation are properly, consistently met and advanced, also assists the country in discharging diligently its international obligations in terms of its memberhip of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with regards implementation of provisions of related conventions, but specifically the the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
“MARPOL is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes,” says SAMSA of a duty and responsibility precisely assigned it by the State in terms of its legislated mandate, under the DoT.
In Durban next Tuesday and Wednesday, focus of the event led by the IMOrg – a virtual organisation chaired by the DoT and SAMSA as the co-chair and secretariat – will be primarily on the revised National Oil Contingency Plan.
IMorg is South Africa’s preparedness forum for joint Government and industry response to oil spills within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of approximately 1.5-million km² across the Atlantic, Southern and Indian Ocean.
Proceedings will comprise two phases, a townhall type presentation encompassing familiarisation of attendees with the approved NOSCP inclusive of theMarine Oil Pollution Prepared Response and Cooperation (OPRC) Bill, a Durban and Richards Bay ports contingency plan, as well as the Wild Oceans – Oil Spill Modelling and Mapping of the Ecologically Vulnerable hotspots model.
The presentations, beginning at 9am each morning, will then be followed by an onfield demonstration of pollution combating and wildlife protection equipment, says SAMSA.
The skipper of a small sailing vessel that went aground at the weekend after it took water following a reported collision with an object at sea near the Wild Coast has been praised for his alertness and ‘distress preparedness’ which led to the successful evacuation of all four sailors.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA ) Centre for Sea Watch & Response located Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town says the incident occured on Friday evening while the small sailing vessel, named Tipsy; was sailing in the Indian Ocean along the Wild Coast.
“MRCC Cape Town was notified at 19:15 on 24 May 2024 by Telkom Maritime Radio of a MAYDAY call from the sailing vessel (SV) TIPSY while on listening watch.The SV reported to have hit a submerged object, and the craft was sinking fast.
“The skipper reported that the four (4) persons onboard were abandoning to life raft and had activated the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The incident position was reported to be 500 meters east from Rame Head on the Wild Coast.
“Following a MAYDAY Relay broadcasted by Telkom Maritime Radio, as requested by the MRCC, SV ZING had diverted to assist from a position approximately 03 hours from the distress position. NSRI Port Edward had also launched to assist and was approximately 2.5 hours from the distress position.
“MRCC Cape Town was notified during the early hours of 25 May that NSRI Port Edward had recovered all four (4) persons from the life raft and were returning to Port Edward. No injuries were reported.
“It was also reported that the TIPSY did not sink, it ran aground on a sand bank. The necessary Coastal Navigation Warning was issued by the Hydrographer.
“Three (3) of the persons received hypothermia treatment in an ambulance after they arrived at Port Edward.
“MRCC Cape expresses appreciation for the efforts of SV ZING, NRSI EOC and Station 32 (Port Edward), Port Edward EMS, and Telkom Maritime Radio for their contributions to the successful outcome of this SAR response. The distress preparedness of the SV TIPSY Skipper is commendable as are their actions in contributing to their rescue,” said the MRCC Cape Town.
A search and rescue operation for 11 crew members of a sunken fishing trawler in the Atlantic Ocean about 34 nautial miles from the nearest coastal land area has been called off, with an investigation of the incident now underway, says the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
According to a SAMSA statement on Sunday, the search for the missing crew ensued on Friday afternoon after a distress call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town, and during which a fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, reported to have taken water rapidly and was sinking fast.
SAMSA says at the time of the incident, the FV Lepanto, a 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide fishing trawler registered in South Africa, had a crew of 20 fishermen onboard, and nine (9) of whom were soon located floating at sea nearby, and evacuated to Cape Town.
Soon after the distress call was received by the MRCC and broadcast back to other vessels at sea in the area, a number of vessels nearest to the casualty vessel, at a location of approximately 35 nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean west of Slangkop Point in the Western Cape, joined the search and rescue operation.
The search continued through the rest of Friday into Saturday, involving at least four assigned fishing vessels in the vicinity, as well as a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter dispatched from Cape Town. Late on Saturday, debris thought to be from the stricken and sunken trawler was spotted, however sadly, no sight of the missing crew was made, said SAMSA.
SAMSA said: “Following the sinking of the LEPANTO during the late afternoon of 17 May 2024 approximately 34 nautical miles west from Slangkop Point Light in Cape Town, rescue efforts continued for the 11 missing persons.
“The commendable efforts of the fishing vessels on 17 May, in the vicinity of the incident location, resulted in both a life raft recovered – one containing nine (9) survivors; and the other being empty.
“Unfortunately, even with the large number of vessels on-scene, none of the missing persons were found nor any undone life jackets.
“The MRCC Cape Town assigned search and rescue (SAR) patterns to the available craft, attempting to utilise the remaining daylight as best as possible. Unfortunately, no sighting of any of the 11 missing persons or even a life jacket was reported.
“A probable search area was developed by MRCC Cape Town in preparation for a night time search, and search patterns were assigned to the vessels. The MRCC was able to obtain rotor- and fixed wing resources through Aerios Global Aviation (AGA), with each aircraft were assigned a search pattern aligned with the capabilities provided. Unfortunately, no sightings were reported.
“The search continued in the morning of 18 May with a revised search area developed, and search patterns assigned to the vessels on scene. MRCC also tasked the AGA helicopter, which resulted in debris being spotted within the revised search area. The search continued for the remainder of the daytime without any other sighting reports.
“Those vessels remaining in the search area continued with their assigned search patterns until after sunset. A review of the search progression, the search efforts, and the continuous lack of sighting reports from the incident start, and the favourable weather, led the MRCC to conclude the SAR effort.
“MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere appreciation of efforts and contributions from: Telkom Maritime Radio, South African Maritime Safety Authority, AGA, NSRI, the media, City of Cape Town, Viking Fishing, Sea Harvest, NSRI Stations 01, 03, 08, as well as the numbers of vessels that partook in the operation, namely FVs Lee-Anne, Locqueran, Haverst Florita, Haverst Umzanzi, Armana, Haverst Saldanha, Isabela Marine, Haverst Georgina, Haverst Cap Nord, African Queen, Umlobi, and Haverst Lindiwe.
“The loss of the 11 persons from the LEPANTO is most regrettable. MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere condolences to the family members, friends, and colleagues of those lost to the sea.
