Broken Bulker Continues to Leak Oil onto South African Coast
South Africa was moving to expand its coastal clean-up efforts on Tuesday as the Ultrabulk vessel Ultra Galaxy continues to leak oil. The vessel broke into four pieces over the weekend as it was pounded by the heavy surf as a cold front moved across the region.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) believes that one of the fuel tanks aboard the Ultra Galaxy (13,800 dwt) has ruptured and began leaking as the vessel broke apart. Current estimates are that there are at least 500 tons of fuel still aboard the wreck that they hope to remove. Salvage efforts on the vessel however remained suspended with the surf making it too dangerous to access the ship.
The Ultra Galaxy fell on its side and grounded approximately 180 miles north of Cape Town in a remote coastal area. In addition to the salvage team, the government recruited local residents and reports at least 125 people are now assisting in the coastal clean-up. They were expecting to expand the force on Tuesday while also bringing in additional equipment as a precaution in response to the spill.
About two-thirds of a mile of the coastline south of the wreck is covered with oil (SAMSA)
The weather conditions are reported to be helping in containing the oil spill. It is covering about two-thirds of a mile south of the wreck. The ocean is also helping to form tar balls which are coming ashore and they said are easier to remove from the sand.
“The heavy swells and wind waves assisted in washing the oil onto the immediate beach, preventing any oil spill from drifting seawards and further down the coastline,” reports SAMSA. It expects the clean-up operation to continue throughout the week following the country’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
In addition to the oil leak, SAMSA has warned of potential debris from the wreck (SAMSA)
“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,” writes SAMSA.
One of the concerns is for seabirds. So far there have been no reports of the wildlife being impacted but it is reported that gannets and penguins forage in the region. The spill is also near the Elephant Rock Marine Reserve.
Efforts will continue to try and contain the oil spill. SMIT International is now responsible for the salvage of the hulk.
First Phase of Salvage of Capsized Bulker Completed Reports SAMSA
South African officials reported that the first phase of the recovery effort for the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy has been completed. With a break in the harsh winter weather, they report progress is being made while cautioning that another cold front is due to cross the area in the coming days.
The Ultra Galaxy developed a severe list on July 9 during a winter storm off South Africa’s west coast forcing the crew to abandon ship. The crew was rescued by a fishing boat in the area and transferred to shore and later returned home to the Philippines. The vessel continued to drift grounding on a remote part of the Atlantic coast.
“The immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation has concluded,” the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported in its latest update. “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.”
Earlier this week, on July 23, dive inspections rechecked the structural integrity of the ship and its fuel tanks. In the next phase, the salvage team will be installing a monitoring system that will track the ship’s movement, stresses, and bending forces on the hull as the vessel lies on its side in the surf.
A bathymetric survey is also underway in the waters around the Ultra Galaxy and further off the coast. These steps will help the salvage team plan for the removal of the vessel.
Debris has been removed from the beach (SAMSA)
High seas in the days after the ship grounded dislodged hatch covers which were found washed ashore and floating in the bay. In addition, SAMSA warned that the cargo of bagged fertilizer had been exposed to the ocean. While much of it was thought to have dissolved in the ocean, plastic bags were washing up on shore.
As a next step, SAMSA reports a platform supply vessel will be anchored near the wreck. It will be used the help stabilize the ship. Previously, SAMSA said the plan also called for offloading the fuel and other oils from the ship.
While progress has been made as the weather subsided, they are expecting more severe weather conditions this weekend. They expect the pace of the efforts will be slowed while the concern remains that the vessel could break apart.
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