Strong winds and heavy swells have aided clean-up operations after an oil spill at a grounded vessel off the West Coast. (Samsa)
- An oil spill along the West Coast has been limited to the nearby beach, authorities say.
- The spill occurred after severe weather battered the grounded vessel, MV Ultra Galaxy.
- Concerns have been raised about the impact on marine life and seabirds.
Strong winds and heavy swells have aided clean-up operations necessitated by an oil spill from a grounded vessel off the West Coast.
The cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, ran aground on 9 July off the coast of Duiwegat, just south of Brand se Baai in the Western Cape.
The 125m-long vessel was en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania when it developed an excessive list (tilting due to water on board) as a result of stormy weather.
The ship was abandoned by its crew of 18 Filipino seafarers, who are now safely back in the Philippines, and it later ran aground.
South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) spokesperson Tebogo Ramatjie said the grounded ship had broken into four sections during severe weather over the weekend.
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One fuel tank ruptured, causing the oil spill onto the immediate beach area.
Clean-up operations started on Monday.
Strong winds and heavy swells have aided clean-up operations after an oil spill at a grounded vessel off the West Coast. (Samsa)
The crew of the MV Ultra Galaxy comprised 18 Filipino seafarers. (Samsa)
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, Ramatjie said.
“Clean-up teams, comprising 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,” he said.
The clean-up operation will continue throughout the week.
“Because the oil has congealed into tar balls, it is making it easier to collect it from the sand. 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,” Ramatjie added.
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.
The MV Ultra Galaxy wreck has broken up into four sections. (Samsa)
Locals are assisting with clean-up operations after an oil spill at a grounded vessel off the West Coast. (Samsa)
As a precautionary measure, they are planning to set up a temporary stabilisation facility in Lambert’s Bay to respond swiftly should seabirds become affected by the spill.
News24 previously reported that Sanccob had raised concerns about oil slicks affecting foraging birds, including gannets and penguins, as well as spreading to the Elephant Rock Marine Reserve, an island near the Oliphants River mouth estuary.
Active salvage work was paused due to the inclement weather and will resume once conditions allow safe access to the wreck, Ramatjie said.
Nicole McCain
www.news24.com
