Crew members of casualty fishing vessel, MFV Armana safely back in Cape Town; but vessel missing and presumed sunken: SAMSA

_{The casualty fishing vessel, MFV Armana photographed while drifting after it was abandoned by its 20 member crew on discovery of fire on board on Sunday and before it vanished during the early hours of Monday morning in an ocean location some 57 nautical miles south of Gansbaai in South Africa’s Western Cape province. (Photo: Supplied)}

Cape Town: 14 October 2024

Twenty crew members of a casualty fishing vessel abandoned at sea on Sunday after it caught fire arrived safely and were disembarked in Cape on Sunday night, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed on Monday.

However, a search for the vessel had since been called off on Monday afternoon after sight of her was lost after midnight on Sunday, and was now presumed sunken, reported SAMSA.

The fiery incident involving the 62 year old MVF Armana and which led to her abandonment by her crew after a fire onboard occurred early on Sunday (13 October 2024) while she was located approximately 60 Nautical Miles offshore from Gansbaai.

_{Crew members of the casualty MFV Armana being rescued on Sunday after their fishing vessel had caught fire and had to be abandoned. They arrived safely in Cape Town on Sunday evening. (Photo: Supplied)}

In a statement, SAMSA said: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) herewith confirms the safe arrival and disembarkation of all 20 crew members of the abandoned fishing vessel, MFV Armana, at the port of Cape Town last night, as well as the discontinuation of a search for the vessel after sight was lost of it early on Monday.

“The 20 member crew of the vessel arrived safely at 19h45 (local time) in Cape Town on Sunday night (13 October) aboard the MFV Ludwani, another of the Sea Harvest Group’s vessels, which had been mobilised to assist with the rescue after the crew of the MFV Armana had to abandon the fishing vessel due to a fire on board.

“Soon after the crew had abandoned the vessel and rescued by the MFV Ludwani, with assistance coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch and Response in Cape Town, measures were taken to both monitor the MFV Armana where it had initially remained adrift at a location approximately 57 Nautical Miles south of Gansbaai, as well as to arrange salvage of the MVF Armana.

“These measures involved the deployment of the MFV Harvest Saldanha for monitoring, as well as the dispatch of the Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) Umkhuseli, to tow the stricken vessel to a safe place of refuge.

“However, regrettably, sight was eventually lost of the MVF Armana in the early hours of Monday (14 October 2024). A search for the vessel was conducted for several hours early Monday without success, and a decision was taken to call it off at 13h00 on Monday as the vessel is now presumed sunk,” said SAMSA.

SAMSA added that a safety navigational warning was issued to all vessels located in or near the last known ocean position of the casualty fishing vessel, as well as to report any sightings of the MFV Armana. SAMSA said an Incident Management Team remain in constant contact with the owners and all parties concerned.

SAMSA confirmed that it will be investigating the cause of the fire on the casualty fishing vessel, MFV Armana.

Meanwhile, SAMSA further said it had taken note of the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy’s directive to the entity on Sunday to conduct an urgent safety inspections of all commercial fishing vessels operating in South African waters.

“SAMSA acknowledges and has taken note of the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy’s directive to SAMSA on Sunday to implement a program to develop a more comprehensive fishing vessel safety improvement plan and is committed to work with all fishing industry stakeholders to ensure that we achieve this end goal,” said SAMSA.

End.

20 seafarers safely evacuated from fishing vessel on fire: SAMSA

_{Crew members of a Sea Harvest fishing vessel, the MFV Armana, that caught on fire early on Sunday at sea being transferred from their life raft onto another vessel, the MFV Ludwani, for transportation back to Cape Town . (Photo supplied)}

Pretoria: 13 October 2024

Twenty crew members of a fishing vessel that caught on fire while out at sea some 60 nautical miles offshore from Gansbaai in the Western Cape were safely rescued and currently on their way to Cape Town, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

According to SAMSA, the fiery incident on board a Sea Harvest fishing vessel, the MVF Armana, occured early on Sunday while the vessel, described as 62 years old, was out at sea for its usual fishing expedition.

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, SAMSA reported: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirms that the 62 year old MVF Armana had a fire onboard around 60 nautical miles offshore from Gansbaai during the early hours of Sunday, 13 October 2024.

“Initial indications were that the vessel was sinking but subsequent information received by Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) located at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch and Response in Cape Town indicated that the 20 crew had to abandon the fishing vessel due to a fire on board.

“Fortunately, all 20 crew members of the vessel have been rescued, are confirmed unharmed, and are on their way back to Cape Town aboard the MFV Ludwani – another of the Sea Harvest Group’s vessels that was in the area at the time of the call. She is estimated to arrive at 20:00 (local time) tonight, and will be met by SAMSA on arrival.

“The families of the rescued crew have been informed and the company is keeping them up to date accordingly.

“The MFV Armana is currently adrift 57 nautical miles south of Gansbaai, and being monitored by the MFV Harvest Saldanha. SAMSA have instructed the owner to secure the services of a tug to tow the stricken vessel to a safe place of refuge and to appoint a salvor.

“The SAMSA Incident Management Team is in contact with the owners and all parties concerned. Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available,” said SAMSA.

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

Search for seafarer fallen overboard a ship underway south of Cape Recife, Eastern Cape: SAMSA

_{The MV Serenity Diva one of whose crew members reportedly fell overboard on the Indian Ocean south east of Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape province. The search for the seafarer is currently underway, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). (Photo: Supplied)}

Pretoria: 19 August 2024

A search is currently underway for a seafarer who reportedly fell overboard a Liberian flagged cargo vessel, the MV Serenity Diva, 44 miles south of Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape on Monday, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

In a brief statement, the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) located in the Cape Town based SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response, said that the incident was raised by the vessel’s crew at about 3am (local time) through a distress call logged by Telkom Maritime.

“According to Telkom Maritime Radio, the vessel’s captain was not sure when the crewman went missing except that the crewman was last seen with blue overalls on. It was not clear if he also had a life-jacket on,” said the MRCC Cape Town.

In response, the MRCC identified two vessels, the MV Cedrice Oldendorff and MV Hoanh Son to assist in the search. A request to Telkom Maritime Radio was also made to broadcast a MayDay relay.

Further updates on the incident will released as and when available, said SAMSA.

End.

Unfavourable inclement weather holds incessant risk to salvage work on grounded cargo vessel on South Africa’s west coast. SALVOS

Pretoria: 06 August 2024

Salvage work on the grounded Panama-registered general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy is expected to progress again this week after yet another bout of a stormy wintry weather that engulfed South Africa’s west coast at the weekend.

Leadership of a salvage team working on the vessel since early July 2024, on Friday cited inciscent poor weather conditions at this time of the year as the biggest challenfe to efforts at off loading the vessel’s cargo – all since lost at sea – as well as its fuel and oils, also some which of spillled out at sea after some storage tanks were breached about a week ago.

The concession came during an onsite national media briefing organised jointly by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) at the remote location of the beached vessel, some 300km north west of Cape Town.

Represented were various members of the institutions and companies involved inclusive of the salvage and oil spill management companies, vessel insurers, the Deparment of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and others.

In his welcoming remarks of the national media corps of journalists, SAMSA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tau Morwe said the media’s full exposure to the site as well as environmental conditions relevant and impacting the salvage work, was based on an intention to ‘ensure transparency.”

Mr Morwe described the need for complete transparency with the work as essential to ensuring both the media and the general public’s full understanding and appreciation of the conditions under which the grounded vessel’s salvage work was being conducted in the interest of ensuring environmental safety. For his full remarks, click on the video below.

Meanwhile, Smit Salvage South Africa general manager, Mr Richard Robertson described at length the enormous challenges presented by inclement winter weather conditions underwhich the teams were currently confronted by in their efforts to retrieve the vessel’s fuels and oils.

According to Mr Robertson, after managing initially to retrieve about eight (tons) of lubricating oils and low sulphur fuels a week or so ago, days of inclement weather descended on the ocean area, eventually leaving the vessel battered and in the process, breaking into four pieces.

This, he said, led to a breach of some of fuel and oils holding tanks resulting in a spillage that has since soiled the adjacent coastal area and about which a major clean up had since ensued, said Mr Robertson.

It’s not called the Cape of Storms for no reason!

“It is not called the Cape of Storms for no reason,” he said, with an admission that it was daunting task ahead of them to complete the salvage work, after which the wreck would be removed.

However, Mr Robertson expressed gratitude that all relevant parties involved and engaged in the work were fully supporting of cooperative with each other, inclusive of the local community whose +200 member strong team was assisting with the oil spillage clean-up, with support of local authorities.

For his full 14 minutes of the account since the teams started, click on the video below.

More coverage of the media briefing by this blog will follow this article.

This shall include interviews with the vessel insurer’s representative and Managing Director of 2Oceans P&I Correspondents, Mr Michael Heads, Salvage Master at Smit Salvage South Africa, Mr Rudolph Pint, SAMSA Chief Operations Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi and Mr Siboniso Ngema, Commercial and Human Resources director at SpillTech.

End

Oil spill clean-up underway on South Africa’s west coast after the weekend break-up of grounded Panama flagged cargo vessel, MV Ultra Galaxy: SAMSA

_{The grounded MV Ultra Galaxy on its side and fragmented into four (4) pieces after the stormy weather on South Africa’s west coast this past weekend and whose massive ocean water waves resulted in the rapture of onethe caualty vessel’s oil tanks. (Photo: SAMSA)}

Pretoria: 30 July 2024

Coastal clean-up operations are ramping up on South Africa’s west coast after an oil-spill caused by the break-up of a grounded Panama-registered general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy due to battering by massive waves associated with a cold front that enveloped the western and northern Cape regions this past weekend, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported on Monday.

According to SAMSA this immediately led to the deployment of the country’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan to mop up the oil spill in the adjoining coastal area, and which entailed the massing of manpower that initially involved some 125 people sourced from the local communities.

The national plan is managed by the country’s interim Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg), a virtual organisation chaired by the Department of Transport (DoT) and SAMSA, as the co-chair and secretariat.

Launched in 2017, with its membership drawn broadly from across various sectors of society inclusive of State departments, private sector industries as well as non-governmental institutions, it is South Africa’s preparedness forum for joint Government and industry response to oil spills within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of approximately 1.5-million km² across the Atlantic, Southern and Indian Oceans.

In a statement on Monday evening SAMSA said: “Clean-up operations continued throughout Monday (29 July 2024) following the oil spill from the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy.

“Clean-up teams, comprising of salvors and 125 local community members, have been diligently working to remove the oil that washed up onto the beach, covering an area of approximately one kilometre south of the wreck.

“The heavy swells and wind waves assisted in washing the oil onto the immediate beach, preventing any oil from drifting seawards and further down the coastline.

“The clean-up team will be increased tomorrow (Tuesday) as the operation continues throughout the week. The waste will be disposed-off in a responsible manner, as per the incident specific waste management plan. Because the oil has congealed into tar balls, it is making it easier to collect it from the sand.

Reflecting briefly on how the dreaded break-up of the 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel, built in 2008, occured at the weekend, after a couple or so weeks since its grounding on 09 July 2024, while en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with fertiliser cargo onboard, and with salvage work having already begun, SAMSA attributed it to bad weather.

Said SAMSA: “Severe and disruptive weather that battered the Western and Northern Cape coastline and over the past three (3) days caused the vessel to break into four (4) sections and one fuel tank ruptured causing an oil spill on to the immediate beach area.”

Meanwhile, with the oil spill mop up phase ramping up, said SAMSA: “Continuous monitoring of the vessel is being conducted through both aerial and surface surveys to track the extent of the spill and its environmental impact.

“The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry, and Fisheries, remains on standby.

_{Images of the grounded Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy as well as the oil soaked part of the coast line on South Africa’s west coast after the stormy weather this past weekend and whose massive ocean waves tore the vessel apart in four (4) places, leading to an oil spill from one of its raptured tanks. (Photos: SAMSA)}

“They are planning to set up a temporary stabilization facility in Lamberts Bay to respond swiftly should seabirds become affected by the spill as a precautionary measure. Active salvage work was paused due to the inclement weather and will resume once conditions allow safe access to the wreck.

“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 advised not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves, as proper disposal is crucial to minimize harm to people and the environment,” said SAMSA, further committing to keeping the public updated of developments subject to availability of details.

End

Grounded general cargo vessel broken apart by waves on South Africa’s west coast, national oil spill contingency plan activated: SAMSA

Pretoria: 28 July 2024

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

End.

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.

End

Malta-flagged ultra large container vessel sails off Algoa Bay as hunt for lost containers continues on South Africa’s east coast: SAMSA

^{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

END