Monitoring system to determine wreck integrity

Weather continues to inhibit salvage efforts

SOUTH AFRICA: Although weather conditions have delayed the placement of a specialised monitoring system on the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy, once positioned, it will help salvors determine the structural integrity of the wreck as well as the most viable salvage solutions.

"Once installed, this system will help determine and monitor the structural integrity of the wreck and guide the safest method to bring the ship upright and remove it from the beach,” said the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

Dive inspections undertaken earlier in the week have confirmed that the integrity of the hull and its fuel tanks remain intact. During the diving operations, salvors were also able to enter the engine room, bridge, and accommodation using specialised climbing equipment.

According to SAMSA, a bathymetric survey has been completed in the water surrounding the wreck and lube oil as well as marine gas oil has been removed from the fuel tanks of the stricken vessel.

SAMSA has also confirmed that a platform supply vessel has been mobilised to depart from Cape Town on Monday with specialised fuel removal heating and salvage equipment. Once on site, the supply vessel, which features a dynamic positioning system (DPS) will position itself as close to the wreck as possible to act as a stable working platform for salvors to pump the remaining fuel.

“Salvors are closely monitoring the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy, as disruptive weather continues to batter the Western and Northern Cape coastline this weekend. An Orange level 6 warning for damaging winds and waves was issued earlier in the week, with conditions expected to last until Monday. Active salvage work will resume once the weather subsides,” said a statement issued by SAMSA on Saturday.

Members of the public on the West Coast are urged not to salvage any debris that washes up on beaches and to report sightings to SAMSA’s Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 or 012 938 3303.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) remains on standby, ready to respond should an oil spill occur and seabirds become affected.

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