Responding to risk of fishing vessel wreck

Monitoring ongoing situation

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has confirmed that intensified efforts are underway to manage the maritime safety and environmental risks posed by the wreck of the fishing vessel FV De Fu No 2, currently located offshore of the Western Cape.

The Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel was abandoned following a fire incident in September last year. Recent reports of wreckage sightings along the South African coastline prompted SAMSA, in cooperation with relevant national and international stakeholders, to activate an Incident Management System (IMS) to monitor the situation and mitigate potential risks.

Since the first confirmed sighting at the beginning of the month, a series of navigational warnings have been issued to vessels operating in the area. Ongoing response efforts have been informed by continuous drift modelling, satellite tracking, and visual confirmations by passing vessels and South African naval assets.

The Admiraal de Ruiter was deployed to the wreck and successfully installed marker buoys, fitted an AIS identification system, and secured a towing line. These measures ensured that control of the wreck was maintained while stakeholders within the IMS structure considered the most appropriate course of action.

As the condition of the wreck remained stable following the sighting, it was decided to move the vessel into a protected area off St Helena Bay. This allows for a comprehensive assessment by a specialist dive and salvage team to determine the most suitable method for the wreck’s final disposal.

The wreck has since been secured on an anchor spread, with multiple anchors deployed to prevent movement under forecast weather and sea conditions. The salvage vessel Sea Carrier remains on site and is fully equipped with diving support and pollution response capabilities.

SAMSA confirms that:

◼︎ The wreck has been positively identified and remains under the control of the salvage vessels and team.

◼︎ No pollution has been detected to date, and environmental monitoring continues.

◼︎ The wreck has been fitted with AIS and GPS tracking buoys to enable continuous location monitoring.

◼︎ Salvage and towage operations are being coordinated by the vessel’s Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurers in close consultation with SAMSA and relevant authorities.

SAMSA, together with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the South African Navy, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), and other partners, will continue to prioritise maritime safety and the protection of the environment.