Severe Storm Breaks Apart Grounded Cargo Ship ‘Ultra Galaxy’ Off South Africa

The Panama-flagged cargo ship MV Ultra Galaxy has broken into four sections due to severe stormy weather off South Africa’s remote west coast, leading to a significant oil spill.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported on Sunday that the vessel, which has been grounded on its side since early July, was further damaged by strong seas that hit the wreck every 15 seconds.

The most recent incident occurred over the weekend, when 6.8-meter swells struck the wreck, causing the accommodation part to detach and resulting in multiple cracks in the hull.

This has led to a substantial oil spill and the activation of the national oil spill contingency plan.

SAMSA has deployed the necessary resources to manage the spill. As of the morning of July 28, 125 local community members had been recruited to assist with the cleanup efforts.

Aerial and surface inspections are being conducted to determine the entire scope of the spill.

Earlier this week, salvage teams successfully removed lube oil drums and around 8 tons of marine gas oil from the vessel’s fuel tanks.

In response to the ongoing situation, SAMSA has coordinated with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), which is prepared to address any potential impact on seabirds.

An Orange Level 6 warning for strong winds and waves was issued earlier this week.

The adverse conditions are likely to persist, with the swell expected to decrease by July 31, 2024.

Active salvage operations will resume once the wreck can be safely accessed.

The MV Ultra Galaxy, a 124.56-meter-long vessel built in 2008, was en route to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania when it encountered a severe list and grounded.

The 18 Filipino crew members were safely rescued on July 9, 2024.

SAMSA has urged the public along the west coast from Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay to report any debris that may have washed ashore, including cargo bags and steel hatch covers.

The public is cautioned not to attempt to salvage debris on their own to minimise harm to both people and the environment.

Reference: SAMSA

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