Fuel will be removed from a Turkish ship which ran aground in Cape Town to ensure no risk is posed to the environment from oil pollution, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said on Tuesday.
"The removal of fuel will commence only once weather conditions improved," SAMSA said in a statement.
"... The department of environmental affairs pollution patrol aircraft Kuswag 9, overflew the casualty this morning and reported no oil visible in the water."
SAMSA said that any attempts to refloat the vessel may worsen its condition.
"The engine room is flooded and tidal, indicating that structural damage was sustained during the grounding and that this space is open to the sea.
"Additional salvage personnel and equipment will be flown out to the vessel in an attempt to stabilise her condition and in preparation for the fuel removal operation."
Twenty-five Turkish crew members were rescued after bad weather caused the ship run aground on Monday night.
Massive swells and gale force winds caused waves to crash over the bow of the 77-metre Panamanian-registered coal bulk carrier which rolled and listed in the rising tide.
The accident occurred just before midnight.
A rescue craft managed to get the crew off the ship and one man was treated for mild hypothermia.
The ship was en route to Gibraltar, has 30 000 tonnes and 660 tonnes of fuel of coal onboard.
Sapa
