[imagesource:wikicommons]

It’s not only the coastal areas that have been taking a hammering the last few days, so spare a thought for the sailors trying to navigate the Cape of Storms’ seas in this weather.

An 18-member crew had to be rescued from a life raft early on Monday after their cargo ship was stricken by strong winds and 3.5-metre waves about 60 nautical miles west of Doringbaai.

Following an alert from the vessel, a rescue tug was dispatched by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) and found the men close to the distressed ship.

All crew was accounted for and the men were transferred to the rescue vessel.

“The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Cape Town) dispatched two nearby cargo vessels to the location of the alert to investigate the situation. The rescue vessels have successfully located a life raft in the water and confirmed that there are 18 seafarers – all Filipino – onboard.”

Image: Samsa

“We are relieved to report that all crew members have been accounted for. A coordinated rescue operation has since ensued to recover the survivors. All crew are safely aboard the FV Malachite en route to St Helena Bay.”

All efforts are now being directed at salvaging the cargo ship, a 124.56-metre-long Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy.

Emergency towing vessels were organised to assist the listing vessel, but gale-force winds and rough sea conditions have made the seas around the Cape a nightmare for ships.

The Eastern Cape coast has also been experiencing the storm with Gqeberha’s Ngqura Container Terminal having to close its ports to ships until conditions improved.

[source:moneyweb&samsa]