Tag: South African Maritime Safety Authority

Search on for more containers fallen off a cargo vessel sailing past South Africa this week: SAMSA

Pretoria: 04 October 2024

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) says it has embarked on yet another search for a set of containers lost overboard by an international cargo vessel while sailing along the country’s oceans earlier this week.

However, the set of containers lost overboard by a Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) vessel, the MV MSC Taranto, while sailing past South Africa, are empty. In the wake of the incident, SAMSA has issued a navigational warning to vessels traversing the oceans nearby to be on the look-out, and to report any sightings.

In a statement in Pretoria on Friday, SAMSA said: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority has been alerted to the loss of five empty containers from the MV MSC Taranto, which occurred between 01:00 and 04:00 local time on the 2nd of October 2024.

“The vessel, which is currently en-route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, reported that the containers – two (2) yellow and three (3) red -were lost at sea. The exact location of the containers is reported to be have been along the west coast between Mossel Bay and stillbaai.

“SAMSA, in collaboration with other relevant authorities, is actively working on locating and recovering the containers. A navigational warning has been issued to all vessels traversing the west coast of South Africa to be on alert for the floating containers, which pose a potential hazard to maritime navigation.

“Mariners and the public are urged to immediately report any sightings of the containers to local authorities or the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on 021 938 3300.

Further updates will be provided as recovery efforts continue.

MV MSC Apollo released

Meanwhile, SAMSA also confirmed the official release of another MSC vessel, the MV MSC Apollo that had been berthed in Algoa Bay for more than a week following an oil spill incident which since been contained.

Said SAMSA: “The MV MSC Apollo has been allowed to depart from Algoa Bay anchorage after she was detained following an oil spill in the bay on the 7th of September. A root cause investigation was completed by the vessel’s owners in conjunction with the Classification Society and endorsed by the vessel’s Flag State.

“This investigation resulted in one of the overboard discharges being blanked off and the sea chest strainer cleaned by a local dive company, in difficult conditions at the anchorage. No other damages have been found on the ship’s side structure during the diving inspection.

“The vessel will proceed to her next port of call, where a more thorough internal inspection of the sea chests can be conducted, while in port, by her owners,” said SAMSA.

Regarding the impacts of the oil spill in Algoa Bay, SAMSA said: “The oil spill affected the penguin population on St Croix Island and 13 oiled penguins were captured on the island by SANPARKS rangers and transported to the local SANCOBB rehabilitation facility.

“Very early in the incident one (1) penguin had died due to being in poor condition. The staff at SANCOBB have washed nine (9) penguins to date [with] two (2) more needing additional care before being washed.

“A lightly oiled penguin did not need washing but is being kept with the other penguins and these birds are expected to be released within the next two (2) weeks provided that they pass all their health checks,” said SAMSA.

“The SANPARKS rangers are scheduled to conduct a final inspection of St Croix Island on Saturday to check for any oiled penguins that may have been missed during their visits to the island group” said SAMSA.

Meanwhile, SAMSA also confirmed that the vessel owners had co-operated with the Authorities by paying the fines that were issued and provided a letter of undertaking to cover all reasonable cost of the clean up and penguin rehabilitation.

“These costs are being monitored by ITOPF (International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited) to ensure fairness,” said SAMSA.

End

Sea future safety vested on youth; South Africa’s focus on World Maritime Day 2024

Durban: 01 October 2024

In marking World Maritime Day 2024, under the theme: ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First’, South Africa – with an event held in Durban a week ago – literally took the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) chosen subject for this year by the scruff of the neck, by devoting the entire event to school children’s maritime awareness elevation and exposure to careers in the sector.

No less than 500 pupils from as many as 10 high schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces filled the popular Transnet N-Shed adjacent the port of Durban’s Cruise Passenger Terminal on Thursday last week, for this year’s WMD domestic celebration.

The hosts were the provincial Department of Transport and Human Settlements, under the leadership of MEC, Mr Siboniso Duma, and the Ethekwini Maritime Clusture jointly with the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

Mr Duma, flanked by the Mayor of Durban, Mr Cyril Xaba, was joined also by officials of the Port of Natal Maritime Museum, Life Saving SA, as well as education and training institutions and private sector companies’ representatives as exhibitors.

These included Amsol, the Durban University of Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Moses Kotane Institute, national Department of Transport, Ethekwini Biodiversity, Lifesavers Association, Ethekwini Natural Resource Development, Go Digital South Africa, Sharks Board, and others.

The invitation and hosting of school children during celebration of the WMD in South Africa, or any other of the IMO’s global calendar events – including Day of the Seafarers, held annually also on June 25 – is not uncommon nor their participation often limited.

However, for this year’s WMD celebration in Durban, their presence and being the central focal point of the event was as readily noticeable as it tied neatly with the year’s IMO chosen theme.

Mr Nkumbuzo Ben-Mazwi, Acting Port Manager; Port of Durban

According to TNPA’s port of Durban Acting Port Manager, Mr Nkumbuzo Ben-Mazwi: “This year’s theme says ‘Navigating the Future; Safety First‘ and so it is that by focusing on school children we are navigating the future through the young people in order to ensure that when we are no longer here, they will be able to run these ports even better than we have done.”

Towards this end, the event approach was to devote it wholesome to raising awareness of as many youths as possible on the day about the country and world’s maritime sector, inclusive of their exposure to the numerous career opportunities therein. That way, said Mr Ben-Mazwi, South Africa would secure the future safety and sustainability of the country maritime sector, and by extension the safety of the sea.

For his full remarks, click on the video below.

Meanwhile, during a chance, albeit, brief interview with Dr Dusty-Lee Donnelly, Director of Law and Maritime Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, this blog established that the university – one of a handful of this country’s institutions of higher learning with dedicated faculties on maritime studies – was already at an advanced stage of further engaging more youth in maritime education and training through deliberate linkages sought to be established with the country’s +50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Dr Dusty-Lee Donnelly, Director of Law and Maritime Studies, KwaZulu-Natal University

“We want to put South Africa on the world map in all aspects of the maritime sphere….” quipped Dr Donnelly, revealing that beginning next year (2025) the university will be spreading its offerings.

This would involve among other initiatives; the launch of a specialised post-graduate certificate of education (PGCE) course, as well as an advanced diploma programme for TVET colleges lectures keen on acquiring or increasing their knowledge and practice to various branches of maritime studies.

The initiative, she said, was being pursued in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University based South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) and the Durban Maritime Cluster – a key local business grouping with interest in maritime sector activities in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

For her full remarks on this and related, click on the video below.

Also present was Department of Transport deputy director for Maritime Industry Development, Ms Lindiwe Mawowa who also weighed on the significance of the approach to the WMD 2024 celebration by South Africa, restating the singular importance of the deliberate focus on youth.

For her full views, click on the video below.

Marking WMD 2024: On stage presentations.

World Maritime Day 2024 South Africa, Durban hosted celebratory event presenters: (From Top Left to Bottom Right), Mr Nkumbuzo Ben Mazwi (TNPA), Ms Zandile Cele (Port of Natal Maritime Museum), Capt. Thokozani Mthethwa (Port of Durban), Mr Dhaya Sewduth (LifeSaving SA), Capt. Hopewll Mkhize (SAMSA) and Mr Siboniso Duma (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport & Human Settlements)

For the event presentations on stage, inclusive of the Opening Remarks (TNPA), Welcome Address (SAMSA) and Keynote Speech (KwaZulu-Natal provincial MEC for Transport & Human Settlements), click on the videos below.

More content to follow.

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

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

LATEST: Grounded MV Ultra Galaxy – oil and fuel removal a lost cause, wreck removal the next target- SAMSA

Pretoria: 23 August 2024

With removal of all remaining oil and fuel onboard the grounded and now wrecked Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, no longer feasible; the salvage effort has smoothly moved onto removal of the wreck off the South Africa’s west coast beach, as soon as possible, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in a statement on Friday.

SAMSA, in statement in Pretoria, confirmed that a tender invitation to industry had recently been issued, with keen services suppliers’ interest having already been noted from both locally and aboard.

This, according to SAMSA, is consistent with and a follow-through to the authority’s directive to the vessel owners to have the wreck removed from the South African west coast on the Atlantic Ocean.

“As a result,” said SAMSA: “the P&I Club issued an invitation to tender to industry in the last week, with interest from both local and international companies.”

An aerial photo of workers cleaning up the coastal area adjacent the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy on South Africa’s west coast after spillage of oils and fuels recently. (Photo: SAMSA)

On the current condition of the beached vessel now overturned, broken into two distinct pieces, with breached oil and fuel tanks, as well as requisite activity related thereto, SAMSA said: “Following extensive assessments conducted over the past few days, it has been confirmed that the MV Ultra Galaxy has completely broken up due to the severe weather conditions experienced last weekend.”

Over 500 tons of oil and fuel, as well fertiliser cargo lost at sea due to stormy weather

This was in confirmation that due to incessant wintry and windy weather conditions over several weeks since the grounding of the vessel in early July 2024, all oil and fuel that had remained onboard the vessel had unavoidably been lost as spilled out to sea, and spread out to a nearby beach where it is currently being collected.

The general cargo vessel, MV Ultra Galaxy beached on its size on South Africa’s west coast a about a week after its grounding, and prior to its being teared into pieces by an incessant wintry, windy weather conditions during July and August 2024. (Photo: SAMSA)

According to SAMSA, at the time of the vessel’s grounding in early July, she had a full load of fertilizer in bags onboard. “Due to the extreme weather conditions at the time and the angle she was at, the ship’s hatch covers were dislodged and detached from the vessel.

“Without hatch covers the cargo holds were left vulnerable and consequently, the ship’s entire load of fertilizer cargo was swept away by the sea. As the fertilizer dissolves water, water samples testing was done, and to date, zero reports of a negative impact to the environment has been received.

SAMSA further explained that in terms of the types of fuel the casualty vessel had onboard at the time of the grounding incident, additional to low amounts of hydraulic and related oils she had 332 tons of VLSFO (low sulphur) and 180 tons of MGO in her tanks as bunker fuel.

“Before she started breaking up salvors were able to remove eight (8) tonnes of bunkering marine gas oil from the wreck while the rest of the oil unfortunately spilled after they were compromised due to extremely bad weather and landed up on the beaches directly in front of the vessel,” said SAMSA.

On Friday SAMSA said: “Given the extent of the damage, the likelihood of any intact fuel tanks remaining on the vessel is highly unlikely. Consequently, the initial plan to pump the remaining oil from the wreck with the assistance of the Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) is no longer feasible.

“With all the fuel presumed to have been released and collected on the nearby mining beach, the focus of the operation has now shifted to a monitoring and caretaking phase.

Oil and fuel spill mob-up workers filling a line of trolleys of the discharge near the site of the casualty grounded MV Ultra Galaxy general cargo vessel (Photo: SAMSA)

“Inspections conducted by foot, drone, and helicopter yesterday (Wednesday) indicate that the oil on the mining beaches has been cleaned and that there is no visible oil slick or contamination along the beaches, extending as far down as the Olifants River mouth and five (5) km north of the wreck.

“Cleanup crews remain on high alert and are on-site in full force, with any resurgence of oil only being sighted on the beaches immediately in front of the vessel. Despite the successful cleanup of all oil that was deposited onto the beach on Monday, the cleanup teams will remain on-site for at least the next two (2) storm cycles as a precautionary measure,’ said SAMSA.

Salvage team to scale down, with watchful eye on prevailing conditions

With the casualty vessel’s conditions having now changed significantly, SAMSA said the salvage team would be downscaling their efforts on-site while maintaining daily reports on the condition of the wreck.

“These reports will include drone footage, monitoring of the wreck’s movement, and early warnings for any small pockets of oil that may still be trapped in the hull. This approach ensures that we remain vigilant in mitigating any further environmental impact.

“SAMSA remains committed to working closely with all relevant authorities and stakeholders to manage the ongoing situation effectively. We will continue to provide regular updates to keep the public informed of the progress and any new developments.

“We would like to thank all the teams, including the community  involved for their tireless efforts and  continued support and vigilance during this challenging time.

End

Grounded vessel on South Africa’s west coast tears further into pieces as wintry, stormy weather continues to wreck it: SAMSA

An aerial view of the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy on South Africa’s west coast after the weekend weather left it split further, leading to more oil spillage into the nearby beaches. Clean up has been ramped up, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) (Photo: SAMSA)

Pretoria: 20 August 2024

More than 200 people are being drawn in to ramp up the clean-up of oil from the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy cargo vessel after the last few days’ wintry and stormy weather on South Africa’s west coast teared the wreck further into pieces, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

In a statement in Pretoria on Tuesday, SAMSA confirmed: “The grounded cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, has sustained significant damage following the severe weather and high swells experienced over the weekend. The vessel has now broken up further, resulting in a release of oil onto the nearby beach.

“The MV Ultra Galaxy, which ran aground on the West Coast on 9 July 2024, has been the focus of ongoing salvage operations. However, the stormy weather over the past few days has exacerbated the situation, causing the wreck to split further, break apart and turn over, with almost of the entire length of her hull now underwater.

“The aerial inspection conducted on 18 August 2024 and today (Monday) revealed oil in the surrounding waters, accompanied by a strong odour, indicating leaks. However the oil that has escaped is drifting within the predicted drift patterns and is washing up onto the immediate beaches, as predicted..

“It is too early to determine how much of the remaining oil has spilled from the wreck. SAMSA is coordinating closely with the salvage team and local authorities to manage the environmental impact of this latest development.

“Cleanup operations are in full swing, with 170 people currently involved in the cleanup effort. This number is set to increase to at least 200 by today (Tuesday) to address the immediate need for enhanced cleanup operations.

“Additional pollution patrols will be conducted along the length of the adjoining beaches, to ensure that no oil is drifting outside of the predicted area. Weather conditions will continue to be monitored closely to determine the most efficient, most suitable and safest course of action.

“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of oil or debris along the West Coast. SAMSA continues to advise against any attempts to salvage debris, as proper disposal is crucial to minimizing harm to both the environment and the community.

“SAMSA will provide further updates as the situation develops,” said SAMSA.

UPDATE: Windswept Malta-flagged cargo vessel, CMA CGM BELEM, safe in Algoa Bay, awaiting berthing at Ngqurha deep water port.

Meanwhile in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape; SAMSA confirmed that the CMA CGM BELEM, arrived in Algoa Bay at the weekend and was currently anchored at the Port of Ngqurha.

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)

Said SAMSA: “Authorities are actively working to secure a berth for the vessel as soon as one becomes available. Currently, the weather conditions at the anchorage are calm, and there is no risk to the vessel while she remains at anchor.

“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 measures 336 meters in length, 51 meters in height, and has a draft of 14.8 meters, had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay but was redirected to Gqeberha.

“In response to the incident, the owners are cooperating with the authorities and a navigational warning has been issued for the safety of navigation of other vessels in the vicinity.

“Vessels traversing the ocean area, and the public, are requested to report any sightings of the lost containers to the relevant authorities,” said SAMSA.

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.