Turkish bulk carrier runs aground near Cape Town

08 Sep 2009 15:47:03 GMT 08 Sep 2009 15:47:03 GMT

Source: Reuters

CAPE TOWN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Turkish bulk carrier MV SELI 1, carrying a 30,000 tonne coal cargo, ran aground with no reported injuries at Dolphin Beach near the South African coastal city of Cape Town, city officials said on Tuesday. The 176 metre long ship, registered in Panama, ran aground on Monday evening while on its way to Gibraltar, the City of Cape Town said in a statement.
There were no injuries.
The carrier, clearly visible from city vantage points, is reportedly carrying 600 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 60 tonnes of diesel, although no fuel tanks had ruptured, the city said.
It said South Africa's department of environmental affairs will conduct an aerial survey on Tuesday to determine if there was a fuel leak.
Known as the "Cape of Storms", Cape Town's coastline at the tip of Africa is a notorious stretch where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge, claiming many vessels which run aground on beaches or hit submerged rocks.

(Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Keiron Henderson)