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)
Pretoria: 17 August 2024
Adverse weather conditions impacting South Africa this past week have led to yet another large container vessel losing as many as 99 containers off the east coast of South Africa, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
In response, a navigational warning to sailing vessels has been issued and a public call made to report any sighting of the cargo containers possibly still floating at sea.
In a statement at the weekend SAMSA confirmed that: “The CMA CGM BELEM, a container ship sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay last night (Thursday), resulting in a significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers.
“The vessel had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay. However, after further assessment, the decision was made to redirect the ship to Qheberha. The CMA CGM BELEM is currently slow steaming towards Port of Ngqura, with an expected time of arrival on 18 August 2024,” said SAMSA
According to SAMSA, the vessel, built in 2024, measures 336 meters in length, 51 meters in height, and has a draft of 14.8 meters.
Notably, the CMA CGM BELEM is the second vessel of its kind and from the same France based company – Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement (CMA) and Compagnie Générale Maritime – to be battered by adverse weather conditions while sailing around South Africa’s Indian Ocean area, and resulting in substantial loss of containers overboard at sea.
A month ago, the ultra large container vessel CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, also Maltese flagged, reportedly lost up to 40 containers in about the same region of the South African Indian Ocean area, while also sailing past the country from Asia to Europe.
Due to its size, it also had to take cover at the deep water port of Ngqurha in Algoa Bay near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape both for shelter as well as an adjustment of its cargo load for the rest of the journey to Europe. A few days later, having been cleared by SAMSA to sail, it departed South Africa, while a search for its lost containers remained alive.
In Pretoria on Saturday, SAMSA said the CMA CGM Belem was also a sizeable vessel best likely to be temporarily, safely berthed at the Eastern Cape’s newest deep water port in Algoa Bay.
“Given her draft,” said SAMSA: ” Port of Ngqura has been identified as the only suitable port of refuge. Stowage collapses have been confirmed, and the affected containers will need to be discharged at a container port facility upon arrival.
Meanwhile, said SAMSA, the owners of the vessel were “cooperating with the Authorities and that a navigational warning has been promulgated for the safety of navigation of other vessels in the vicinity.”
SAMSA added: “Vessels traversing the ocean area, and the public, are requested 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 observed.”
Country of ship registration accountable for investigation
While the salvage team on the Panama-registered cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, continue to hold their breath in prayer for, at minimum, a week-long ‘good weather window’ to prepare for extraction tons of the vessel’s remaining fuel and oil, getting to the bottom of why the now wrecked vessel ended up beached sideways on that west coast of South Africa, remains as much a priority.
That is according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in confirmation that it has already begun assisting a Panama maritime authorities’ investigation of the incident that occured exactly a month ago this week, after the vessel was abandoned by its crew on the Atlantic Ocean, after it listed heavily, and eventually grounded a day later.
SAMSA Chief Operations Officer (COO) Mr Sobantu Tilayi, addressing an on-site national media briefing held on Friday at the coastal area of the vessel’s grounding, explained that in terms of international maritime laws and regulations, the obligation to investigate the cause of the vessel’s grounding lay with its country of registration – Panama – with SAMSA only providing such assistance as necessary and required.
To this end, Mr Tilayi confirmed that Panama maritime authorities had already launched the investigation, and that they’d be arriving in the country this past weekend, following their visit and interview of the 18-member crew of the casualty vessel, domiciled in the Philippines.
In the video below, Mr Tilayi fully explains the process of the investigation, and for further illumination, also delves, albeit briefly, on the role of South Africa’s Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) and its relevance and significance to the country’s state of readiness for maritime incidents of the kind.
Salvage team on a wing and a prayer
With an investigation on the cause of the grounding of the MV Ultra Galaxy now formally underway, a salvage team from Smit Salvage South Africa led by Salvage Master, Mr Rudolph Punt; is ill at ease having to wait patiently, hoping for a good weather window of no less than a week at least, to be able to fully establish the presence of low-sulphur fuel and oils in the grounded vessel’s underside tanks for extraction.
In a brief chat with this SAMSA blog on the day of an on-site national media briefing last Friday, Mr Punt said unabating inclement weather in the location was a major hindrance to what he described as an elaborate process for effectively and successfully extracting the remaining tons of fuel and oil believed to be still on the casualty vessel.
With a Platform Ssupply Vessel alongside, he said, primarily, they needed to stabilize the now wrecked vessel, and then once having located fuel-laided tanks below, heat up the fuel and oils on board first, to about 50 degrees Celsius, prior to transfering it by pipes to the PSV – a extraction heating initial process lasting up to 48 hours, on average, at a time.
Shortly after arrival at the operations site two weeks ago, and with only one day of good weather since, he said the team managed to extract about eight (8) cubic meters of oil , and then the Cape of Storms lived up to its reputation at this time of the year, belting out a very windy and wet weather, giving rise to ocean waves of up to six (6) meters pounding the vessel at intervals of 15 seconds apart, at times.
As a result, on Saturday, 27 July, the vessel broke apart into four (4) pieces and in the process, two of its tanks – 1 & 2 got breached and tons of fuel and oil leaked onto the sea and beach alongside, for a spread of up to a kilometre.
For the full narrative by Mr Punt, inclusive of the salvage team’s preparedness for a ‘worst case scenario’ – click on the video below.
We came prepared: Spill Tech
With just over a kilometre of a remote coastal area densely splashed with tons of an oil and marine fuel, a Spill Tech environmental clean up team has had its hands full locating and removing the grounded vessel’s debris and spilled fuels and oil, confirmed the company’s Director for Environment, Mr Gareth Goosen a Friday ago.
It is a job, he said, they came fully prepared for even as they could not be certain of the scale, both in terms of debris and oil spill volumes as well as the geographic spread on land and at sea.
The high level of preparedness was evident at the site, with a range of equipment and vehicles spread and laid out for collection, containment and disposal of the grounded vessel’s debris and hardened oil and fuels, in addition to hard pieces of the vessel that chiselled off when it broke apart.
With the wintry stormy and wet weather on the South Africa Atlantic Ocean coastline this year giving little respite for weeks on end, Spill Tech, said Mr Goosen, came prepared for the worst-case situation as standard practice. For his account of the ordeal to date, click on the video below.
A lucky break worth millions of rand income in business and jobs opportunity for local community
The dreaded grounding, subsequent break-up and resultant oil and fuel spillage that has occurred on a remote part of South Africa’s west coast involving the Panama-registered general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, while sailing to Dar es Saalam in Tanzania up north-east on the Indian Ocean side of South Africa, could not have been anticipated by the Matzikama Local Municipal area community.
As such, the community could not have been prepared for it. However, when the call came from salvage and environmental clean up groups attending to the casualty vessel, the community immediately sprung into action, according to Spill Tech’s director for commercial and human resources, Mr Sibusiso Ngema.
According to Mr Ngema, within hours of the vessel breaking up and spewing some of its fuel and oils onto the coastal area adjacent, as many as 231 local people, 96% of whom are youth aged between 18-35 years, were located, engaged, and quickly converged on the scene, cleaning up the beach area.
In the event of more oil and fuel leaking out of the now broken up grounded vessel, an additional 400 has been booked already and on stand-by for a call-out, he said.
Ironically, in a cased he summarily described as illustrative of the adage: for every dark cloud, there is a silver lining; Mr Ngema said all of the people, especially the youth now engaged by Spill Tech in the clean-up, were unemployed.
He revealed that for the period since beginning of both the casualty vessel salvage work and oil and fuel oil spill clean-up – approximately three weeks – as much as R2-million had been spend in the Matzikama Municipal area in local procurement of consumables and labour.
With much expressed uncertainty as to how long the salvage operation will take, and unpredictable course it may take due to poor weather conditions and diffult terrain working conditions, the spend could increase for a while yet and in the process, yielding much needed employment income especially for the local, and generally unemployed youth. For the full story, click on the video below.
Worst-case scenario? There’s no such thing for ships insurers!
In terms of maritime incidents such as is currently being dealt with involving a grounded vessel on a remote area of South Africa’s west coast, some 300km northwest of Cape, “there is no such thing as a worst-case scenario,” stated the vessel owner’s insurance company representative, Mr Michael Heads, Managing Director of 2Oceans P&I Correspondents.
According to Mr Heads, ships insurers general expect and plan for exactly such situations, and as such, the MV Ultra Galaxy insurers came prepared for any eventuality regarding the condition of the vessel inclusive of its final removal, in whatever state, after retrieval of its cargo and fuels onboard.
For this and other of his views, click on the video below.
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.
Life rafts are among a range of mandatory requirements on all ships at sea primarily to safeguard the lives of crew members from drowning in the event of an incident involving a vessel and requiring an escape by its crew onboard. (Photo: SAMSA)
Pretoria: 06 August 2024
South Africa’s national campaigns for prevention of drownings, be it at sea or in any bodies of water, remain essential to safety of life, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
SAMSA’s message was relayed during the marking of the World Drowning Prevention Day 2024 on 25 July, a day on which the organisation joins a wide range of campaigns aimed at promoting water use safety, be it at sea or in the inland water ways.
In a brief interview on SAMSA support of initatives to prevent drowning, Chief Operaitons Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi, said SAMSA has mandatory regulations that require among other things, that vessels must have lifejackets on board, and life rafts that will be used in case of an emergency.
Of SAMSA’s legislated mandate, a key objective is to protect life and property at sea and this is part of SAMSA’s strategic plan, which includes ensuring shipping adherence to safety standards, practices and international conventions in waters by both foreign and national flagged vessels.
In this regard, Mr Tilayi cited the successful search and rescue and safe evacuation of 18 Filipino seafarers in July 2024 shortly after their general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy listed heavily and eventually grounded in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean along South Africa’s west coast.
However, in addition to enforcing regulations on the use of safety tools and equipment on vessels and related, SAMSA also directly contributes to safety campaigns that promote the prevention of drowning. These include sponsorships of swimming lessons, or partnerships with other institutions in government – such as municipalities, or non governmental, with focus on the aspect.
This, he says, closely aligns with the World Health Organisation (WHO) efforts to raise awareness on the six (6) evidence-based, low-cost drowning prevention interventions that countries and organizations can use to drastically reduce the risk of drowning. Among these, is the teaching and training of school-aged children on basic swimming, water safety and safety rescue skills and resuscitation
“SAMSA being the authority charged with ensuring the safety of life at sea, inland waters, dams, and wherever we use floating crafts, boats, big ships; we have a responsibility to prevent people from drowning.
“Now, the context; is we have the biggest population of people floating out at sea, whether they are working on ships, or boats do fishing. We operate the search and rescue centre, MRRC, in Cape Town. Once we hear or get alerted to people distressed out at sea, we must coordinate that they get to safety, so we have to search if we do not know where they are but if we do, we must coordinate their rescue.”
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
An aerial photograph of the grounded Panama-registered general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy taken early on Saturday and indicative of the prevailing extremely wintry weather conditions on South Africa’s west coast. (Photo: SAMSA)
Pretoria: 27 July 2024
A spate of stormy wintry weather has again disrupted salvage work on a grounded general cargo vessel beached off a remote coastal area on South Africa’s west coast, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed on Saturday afternoon.
According to SAMSA in a statement on Saturday afternoon, the prevailing adverse weather conditions now battering the region – and anticipated to last until Tuesday of the coming week – have had the effect of delaying the placement of a specialised monitoring system for the gounded Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy vessel’s movement, stresses, and bending moments, due to poor flying conditions.
“Once installed, this system will help determine and monitor the structural integrity of the wreck and guide the safest method to bring the ship upright and remove it from the beach,” said SAMSA, however, pointing out that much progress to relieve the vessel of its fuels had begun successfully.
“Earlier this week,” said SAMSA: “salvage teams conducted dive inspections to recheck the structural integrity of the ship and its fuel tanks, both of which remain intact. The salvors also managed to enter the engine room, bridge, and accommodation using specialized climbing equipment.
“Additionally, a bathymetric survey (water depth survey) was completed in the waters surrounding the wreck. Salvors also managed to remove several lube oil drums and about eight (8) tons of marine gas oil from the fuel tanks of the wreck,” said SAMSA.
To speed things up, SAMSA further reported that a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) is scheduled to report in Cape Town on 29 July to uplift and load specialized fuel removal heating and salvage equipment.
“The PSV will then depart for the wreck (and) once stationed off the wreck, the PSV will use its dynamic positioning system and two anchors to position itself as close to the wreck as possible. The PSV will serve as a stable working platform, and the remaining fuel will be pumped from the wreck to the PSV via pipelines.” said SAMSA.
A second aerial photo of the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy vessel being severely battered by several meter high waves early on Saturday in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of South Africa. (Photo: SAMSA)
In the meantime, according to SAMSA: “Salvors are closely monitoring the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy, as disruptive weather continues to batter the Western and Northern Cape coastline this weekend. An Orange level 6 warning for damaging winds and waves was issued earlier in the week, with conditions expected to last until Monday. Active salvage work will resume once the weather subsides.
Regarding debris and related matters, SAMSA sustained its call on members of the public on the West Coast, from Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay, “….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.
Further details would 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
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.”
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
