WATCH | Stricken cargo ship runs aground off Cape west coast

Maritime safety officials are in a race against time to prevent a potential environmental disaster after a heavily listing, unmanned 124m cargo ship ran aground on the Cape west coast.

“Efforts are concentrated on preventing a fuel and oil spill as well as to salvage its cargo,” the South African Maritime Authority (Samsa) said in an update.

“Preliminary indications are 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.”

Two tugs were initially dispatched to try to prevent the Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy drifting towards shore but she ran aground at Brand se Baai.

The 18-member crew abandoned the listing ship and were rescued from a life raft on Tuesday.

“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,” said Samsa.

“Weather conditions at the time included winds of up to 12 knots per hour and swells between five and six metres. The rescue vessels located a life raft in the water and confirmed there were 18 seafarers — all Filipino — on board. A co-ordinated rescue operation ensured the survivors were safely transferred to the FV Malachite and transported to St Helena Bay.”

The ship, built in 2008, was on its way to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

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