18 Filipino Seafarers Rescued From Listing Cargo Ship in the Atlantic Ocean

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported the incident, which resulted in an emergency response early in the morning on July 8, 2024.The rescue mission was launched at around 3 a.m. local time in response to an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert from the MV Ultra Galaxy.

When the distress call was received, the vessel was approximately 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay.

In response to the distress call, a May Day broadcast was issued, diverting three nearby ships, the MV Fivos, the MV Rio Grande Express, and the fishing vessel FV Malachite.

According to SAMSA, weather conditions during the rescue included winds of up to 12 knots per hour and swells of 5 to 6 meters.The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town responded immediately, dispatching two cargo vessels to the alert location.These rescue vessels found a life raft carrying all 18 Filipino crew members of the MV Ultra Galaxy.

SAMSA said they were relieved to report that all the 18 crew members were safe.

The crew was safely transferred to the FV Malachite, which is currently on its way to St Helena Bay.

The crew is expected to reach the shore around 5:00 a.m. on July 9, 2024.

The MV Ultra Galaxy, a Panama-registered vessel formerly known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy, is 124.56 meters long and was built in 2008. It was on its way to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, when the distress call was received.

With the crew safely rescued, SAMSA’s priority has switched to salvaging the listing vessel.On July 8 afternoon, SAMSA confirmed that emergency towing vessels were being prepared to assist the MV Ultra Galaxy.