SAMSA busy with salvage work on stranded ship in Cape West Coast

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The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) says salvage work continues on the MV Ultra Galaxy, the Panama registered cargo ship that ran aground close to Duiwegat South of Brand se Baai on the Cape West Coast.

SAMSA spokesperson, Tebogo Ramatjie, says 18 Filipino crew members abandoned the ship on Tuesday evening.

He says expert salvage teams are conducting surveys of the surrounding areas as well as the vessel. Ramatjie says the ship has a full load of bagged fertiliser and also contains sulphur bunkering fuel as well as hydraulic and related oils on board.

Salvors are preparing equipment to board the vessel amid the inclement weather conditions.

He says pollution clean-up operations are under way to remove flotsam from the beaches.