VSG GLORY

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Wreck resting in water dephts of 20-60 meters, reef damage limited

On Dec 14, the Mövenpick Resort El Quseir posted a summary of the events, which started on Nov 22, when the 'VSG Glory', which was transporting wheat bran, lost its propulsion and drifted into the southern outer reef. Damage to the hull made towing impossible and the vessel sank on Dec 2 at a depth of between 22 and 60 meters. Fortunately, the corals in Al Quadim Bay were minimally impacted, with minor damage at the southernmost point. The reef south of the bay suffered slightly more, but still limited, damage, while the sinking site suffered significant damage. For the former two areas, restoration measures, including re-attachment of corals and removal of debris, were being planned. On Nov 23 a limited amount of oil leaked from the hull of the vessel and was drifted south by the currents. The PetroSafe company was able to protect the southern beaches of the hotel from residues by using absorbent skimmers. The bay and northern reef remained unaffected. During the sinking, polluted water leaked from the engine room and was again carried southward by thee current. Some traces entered the bay, but were cleaned up within a few hours. A fuel smell was noticeable in the days following the sinking due to evaporating fuels. Reported oil traces in southern areas were promptly cleaned up by the PetroSafe company, supported by HEPCA and the El Quseir Environmental Office. Current assessments indicated that the wreck and its contents posed no immediate threat to the surrounding area. Monitoring activities will continue to ensure the safety and protection of the environment.

Ship slipped off the reef and sank

On the morning of Dec 2, the 'VSG Glory' was slipping off the reef it had been sitting on for days, bringing to an end the efforts to fix the crack in the hull by divers or any attempt to pull the ship off the reef. The stern and accomodation area were largely submerged, and the ship was listing heavily to port side. At the same time, the swell removed the oil barriers again. The ship sank completely in the afternoon. During the recent days, the stern had started to founder with waves breaking over the side. 250 tons contaminated oil-fuel mixture were removed during the recent days. Involved in the response were the - Ministry of Environment - Ministry of Defense (Navy) - Ministry of Interior - Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety - Red Sea Governorate - Red Sea Reserves - Red Sea Marine Inspection Office - Red Sea Security Directorate - Southern Red Sea Investigations - Al-Qusier City Council - PetroSafe Company. Visitors have started avoiding the water because of the thick layer oil on a number of shores. The Egyptian Ministry of Environment, in co-operation with relevant authorities, was trying to clean up the slick. Some of the 70 tons fuel on board had spilled out and drifted into several of El Quseir's beaches. The authorities have formed a special committee to assess the damage and conduct a comprehensive survey to evaluate the density and health of the coral reefs. T Report with photos: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2024/12/03/cargo-freighter-sinks-in-red-sea-week-after-coral-reef-collision-caused-oil-spill/

Fuel to be drained

The leak in the hull of the 'VSG Glory' has apparently been closed. No more fuel was leaking, and in the next few days the fuel from the tanks and dirty water from the ship will be pumped out by a special ship. This will take about two days. A tug will then try to remove the ship from the reef. It was expected that the reef directly south of El Quadim Bay has been significantly damaged, as the ship moved along the edge of the reef for more than 100 meters. Strong winds in the night of Nov 28 tore away the oil barriers and washed them onto the beach. There was a strong smell of oil again and pollution was visible.