Satisfactory progress made with salvage work on grounded general cargo vessel off South Africa’s west coast: SAMSA

Pretoria: 25 July 2024

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.

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UPDATE 3: Salvage of grounded Panama-flagged cargo vessel, MV Ultra Galaxy, fully underway on Cape’s west coast: 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.”

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Stricken Panama flagged cargo ship aground on South Africa’s west coast. Salvage ops underway to prevent pollution: SAMSA

_{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.”

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18 Filipino seafarers rescued off a cargo vessel, currently in trouble at sea in Atlantic Ocean northwest of Cape Town

_{A photo of the Panama registered general cargo vessel reportedly in trouble at sea, and excessivly listing, on the Atlantic Ocean north west of Cape Town on Monday morning. Its crew of 18 seafarers rescued and currently being evacuated. (Image Supplied)}

Pretoria: 08 July 2024

A total 18 Filipino seafarers, all crew members of a general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy were rescued and evacuated following their discovery in a life raft after they apparently abandoned their excessively listing vessel on the Atlantic Ocean, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reports.

In a statement on Monday, SAMSA said the rescue effort ensued from very early on Monday after an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert from the vessel, in a position of approximately 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay, was detected at 0300 local time, prompting an immediate response.

With a May Day immediately broadcast to other vessels in the vicinity soon thereafter, three ships closest to the casualty vessel; the MV Fivos, MV Rio Grande Express and a fishing vessel, the FV Malachite; were diverted for assistance, said SAMSA. Weather conditions at the time were reportedly characterised by winds of up to 12 knots per hour, with a swell of up to between five (5) and six (6) meters.

*_{A graphic image of the location of the MV Ultra Galaxy when its distress call was recieved by the MRCC early on Monday (Image Supplied)}*

SAMSA reported: “The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Cape Town) dispatched two nearby cargo vessels to the location of the alert to investigate the situation.

“The rescue vessels have successfully located a life raft in the water and confirmed that there are 18 seafarers – all Filipino – onboard.

“We are relieved to report that all crew members have been accounted for. A coordinated rescue operation has since ensued to recover the survivors. All crew are safely aboard the FV Malachite en route to St Helena Bay.” said SAMSA.

*^{Another view of the MV Ultra Galaxy from the window of a rescue craft in the vicinity earlier on Monday.}*^{Photo Supplied}

The Panama registered MV Ultra Galaxy (previously known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy) is a 124,56 meters long general cargo vessel built in 2008. At the time of its distress call early on Monday, it was reportedly en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

According to SAMSA, with the crew successfully rescued and its safety assured, attention is now being devoted fully to efforts to salvage the vessel. The crew were anticipated to reach shore at about 5am on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, SAMSA confirmed on Monday afternoon that a set of Emergency Towing Vessels were being organised to render assistance to the listing vessel. Further details would be shared as and when available, said SAMSA

End