This past weekend’s cold front which brought on strong winds and massive waves, led to a massive oil spill clean-up on the West Coast. This after rough sea conditions broke a grounded Panama-registered general cargo vessel, called the MV Ultra Galaxy.
On Friday, the South African Weather Services issued an orange level 6 warning for damaging wind and waves. This was expected between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas on Saturday morning spreading to Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday evening into Monday morning.
Following the MV Ultra Galaxy oil spill, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has ramped up its Coastal clean-up operations along the West Coast. According to SAMSA, this led to the immediate deployment of the country’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
This will ensure that mopping up is conducted to clean up the oil spill in the adjoining coastal area.
“The national plan is managed by the country’s interim Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg), a virtual organisation chaired by the Department of Transport (DoT) and SAMSA, as the co-chair and secretariat.”
On Monday, SAMSA said clean-up operations continued throughout the day following the oil spill. Clean-up teams, comprising salvors and 125 local community members, have been working to remove the oil that washed up onto the beach, covering an area of approximately one kilometre south of the wreck.
The heavy swells and wind waves, brought on by the yellow level 2 warning for damaging wind and waves, assisted in washing the oil onto the immediate beach. This prevented any oil from drifting seawards and further down the coastline.
The clean-up team is expected to increase on Tuesday as the operation continues throughout the week.
“The waste will be disposed of in a responsible manner, as per the incident-specific waste management plan. Because the oil has congealed into tar balls, it is making it easier to collect it from the sand.”
SAMSA has made it clear, that the severe and disruptive weather that battered the Western and Northern Cape coastline caused the vessel to break into four sections. As a result, one fuel tank ruptured causing an oil spill onto the immediate beach area.
The cargo vessel, built in 2008, was grounded on 09 July 2024, while en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with fertiliser cargo onboard.
“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.”
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), along with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry, and Fisheries, will remain on standby.
Both the department and SANCCOB are planning to set up a temporary stabilization facility in Lamberts Bay to respond swiftly should seabirds become affected by the spill as a precautionary measure.
“Active salvage work was paused due to the inclement weather and will resume once conditions allow safe access to the wreck.”
Residents on the West Coast, from Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay, are requested to look out for any debris that may wash up on the beach, such as cargo bags, steel hatch covers, and other flotsam.
The public is however advised not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves, as proper disposal is crucial to minimize harm to people and the environment.
Any findings should be reported to SAMSA through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 or 012 938 3303.
