Pockets of good weather have finally allowed salvage experts to gain access to the wreck of an Ultrabulk-controlled ship that grounded in South Africa during a storm last week.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said in its latest update on the casualty published on Tuesday that the waves that battered the 13,800-dwt Ultra Galaxy (built 2008) for nearly a week as it lay on its starboard side off a beach washed away many of the hatches of its cargo holds.
The multipurpose general cargo ship’s cargo of bagged fertiliser has either been swept away or begun to dissolve.
“During the recent extreme weather experienced throughout the whole of last week and during which the vessel ran aground, the ship’s hatch covers were eventually dislodged and detached, leaving the cargo holds vulnerable,” the authority said.
“Consequently, a significant portion of the ship’s fertiliser cargo was swept away by the sea … It is expected that most of the fertiliser in the individual cargo bags would have dissolved and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment is implementing an environmental monitoring program.”
SAMSA also cautioned that although it has located some hatch covers, ships should keep a lookout for any that might still be floating on the surface.
Salvage teams have begun sealing the Ultra Galaxy’s fuel tanks to prevent any of the low-sulphur fuel oil spilling into the sea.
“They are also investigating the structural integrity of the vessel to plan a way forward to secure and safely remove the oil and wreck from the area,” SAMSA said.
“At this stage of the operation, the vessel poses no new environmental threats, however all efforts are being made to monitor the situation and put preventative measures in place.”
The Ultra Galaxy was abandoned by its crew on 8 July after developing a severe list while nearing the coastline off western South Africa in extreme weather.
It was on a voyage from Spain to Tanzania, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid being attacked by Houthi rebels on the shorter route through the Suez Canal.
The crew were rescued by a fishing vessel and landed safely on shore as the ship drifted onto a remote beach.
The S&P Global International Ships Register lists the Ultra Galaxy as owned by Fujita Shoji of Japan, with protection and indemnity coverage provided by NorthStandard.
