GROUNDING OF M/V ULTRA GALAXY OFF SOUTH AFRICA COAST

                               

Grounded Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the Ultra Galaxy, on its side, showing the breach of its cargo holds. Photo courtesy SAMSA

Calm Weather Helps Salvage of ‘MV Ultra Galaxy’ Off South Africa’s Coast

Mike Schuler

July 16, 2024

Pockets of calmer weather off South Africa’s west coast have provided a much-needed boost to the salvage efforts of the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported on Tuesday that the salvage of vessel, now lying on its side on a remote beach northwest of Cape Town, is the focus of operations.

The 124.56-meter-long general cargo ship, built in 2008, was en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania when it was abandoned by its 18 Filipino crew members on July 9 after developing an severe list and grounding. All crew members were safely rescued from a life raft.

A preliminary assessment revealed that the vessel, located approximately 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay at the time of its initial distress, carried a full load of fertilizer in bags, as well as low sulfur bunkering fuel and hydraulic oils.

According to SAMSA, the top priority is the removal of the ship’s fuel and oils to prevent possible environmental pollution.

During a recent incident management team meeting, SAMSA confirmed that extreme weather experienced last week caused the ship’s hatch covers to detach, leaving the cargo holds exposed. As a result, a significant portion of the ship’s fertilizer cargo has been swept away.

While some hatch covers have been retrieved, warnings have issued for vessels navigating the area and to the general public to look out for debris that may still be at sea or wash ashore.

It is expected that most of the fertilizer in the individual cargo bags would have dissolved, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) is implementing an environmental monitoring program.

The search for wreckage and other debris from the ship will expand over the next few days as the salvage crew tries to take advantage of favorable weather between cold fronts. With the drift pattern expected to be in a southerly direction, members of the public on the West Coast south of Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay are being requested to look out for any debris that may wash up on the beach. This includes items such as cargo bags, steel hatch covers, and other flotsam, all of which should be reported to SAMSA through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC).

SAMSA made a special appeal to the public not to collect or remove any items found but to alert officials. “Members of the public are also requested not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves. It is important to properly dispose of any debris safely to minimize harm to people and the environment,” said SAMSA.

Meanwhile, salvage teams and divers have begun sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil spillage into the ocean. They are also investigating the vessel’s structural integrity to plan a way forward to secure and safely remove the oil and wreck from the area.

At this stage of the operation, the vessel poses no new environmental threats. However, all efforts are being made to monitor the situation and implement preventative measures. 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, SAMSA said.