The Panama-flagged cargo ship that ran aground off the coast of Brand se Baai earlier this month has broken into four sections, leading to an oil spill.
Also read: Filipino cargo ship grounds off Brand se Baai after crew rescue
On Saturday, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) warned that disruptive weather conditions hampered salvage work on the vessel, from which 18 crew members had to be rescued.
A spate of stormy wintry weather has again disrupted salvage work on a grounded general cargo vessel beached off a remote coastal area on South Africa’s west coast, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed on Saturday afternoon.https://t.co/oxzCpEoxra
— SAMSA (@SAMSAMARITIME) July 28, 2024
The abandoned cargo ship ran aground on the evening of Tuesday, 9 July off the coast of Duiwegat, just south of Brand se Baai on the West Coast.
The crew is now safely back in the Philippines.
‘The immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation has concluded,’ SAMSA said on 25 July.
‘This phase included the search and recovery of flotsam and other debris from the ship and sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean. A new salvage company, Smit International, has since been appointed to carry on the next phase.’
‘On Tuesday, (23 July 2024) dive inspections were conducted to recheck the structural integrity of the ship and fuel tanks. In the coming days, a specialized monitoring system will be installed to track the ship’s movement, stresses, and bending moments. This system will help determine the best method to safely bring the ship upright and remove it from the beach.’
However, SABC News reports that the vessel had broken into four sections and that authorities are attempting to contain the spill in the immediate area.
According to SAMSA spokesperson Tebogo Ramatjie, additional personnel have been recruited to assist with the cleaning operation, including 125 people from the local community.
Also read:
Filipino ship crew members on life raft rescued off WC coast
Picture: Roger Hoyles / Unsplash