Cargo ship MV Ultra Galaxy has run aground on the west coast during adverse weather conditions. (Supplied/Samsa)
- A cargo ship has run aground on the west coast.
- The ship was abandoned by its crew after it developed a dangerous list (tilting due to taking on water).
- Eighteen crew members were rescued after they abandoned the ship.
A cargo
ship, which authorities were attempting to salvage, has run aground on the west
coast, raising oil spill concerns.
The South
African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) dispatched two salvage tugs to try to
save the stricken cargo ship. However, it has since run aground, according to
Samsa spokesperson Tebogo Ramatjie.
The Ultra
Galaxy, a 124.56-metre-long general cargo vessel built in 2008, was abandoned
by its crew on Monday morning after it took on a dangerous list (tilting
due to taking on water) 60 nautical miles west of Doringbaai.
“The
Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, has gone aground off the coast of
Brand se Baai on the West Coast,” Ramatjie said.
“Efforts
are now concentrated on preventing a fuel and oil spill, as well as to salvage
its cargo. Preliminary indications are that the vessel has a full load of
fertiliser in bags on board. She also has low sulphur bunkering fuel in
addition to hydraulic and related oils.”
READ | ‘We are relieved,’ says Samsa as 18 Filipino cargo ship crew members rescued off Western Cape coast
He said all
18 Filipino crew members who were rescued after they abandoned ship had arrived
safely in St Helena Bay on Tuesday morning. They were found in a life
raft.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority rescued 18 Filipino crew members of the general cargo vessel Ultra Galaxy after they abandoned the ship on Monday. (Supplied/Samsa)
Ramatjie
told News24 that the Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy was previously known as
Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy.
He added
that when it made its distress call early on Monday, it was en route to Dar es
Salaam in Tanzania.
The salvage
operation comes as the province is being battered by severe weather. A Level 8
weather warning has been issued for parts of the province.
Nicole McCain
www.news24.com
