Eighteen Filipino seafarers have been rescued off the Cape West Coast after abandoning their severely listing Panama-registered cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) announced that the seafarers were found in a life raft about 60 nautical miles from Doringbaai in the Atlantic Ocean early Monday morning.
The life raft was detected around 3 a.m., prompting an immediate rescue response. A Mayday call was broadcast, and three nearby vessels—the MV Fivos, MV Rio Grande Express, and the fishing vessel FV Malachite—were diverted to assist.
Weather conditions at the time included winds up to 12 knots per hour and swells between five and six meters.
Samsa’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Cape Town dispatched two nearby cargo vessels to investigate the situation.
The rescue vessels successfully located the life raft and confirmed that all 18 seafarers were safe. “We are relieved to report that all crew members have been accounted for,” Samsa stated.
A coordinated operation followed, with the crew safely boarding the FV Malachite and being transported to St. Helena Bay.
The MV Ultra Galaxy, previously known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy, is a 124.56-meter-long cargo vessel built in 2008. At the time of the distress call, it was en route to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
With the crew safely rescued, efforts are now focused on salvaging the vessel. Emergency towing vessels are being organized to assist the listing MV Ultra Galaxy. The crew was expected to reach shore by 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
