Tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of oil capsizes in Manila Bay | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of oil capsizes in Manila Bay
Tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of oil capsizes in Manila Bay
Agence France-Presse,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 25, 2024 10:19 AM PHT
|
Updated Jul 25, 2024 04:43 PM PHT
The Philippine Coast Guard responds to a tanker that capsized off Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan. PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard responds to a tanker that capsized off Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan. PCGMANILA (2nd UPDATE) - An oil tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil capsized and sank off Manila on Thursday, authorities said, as they raced to contain a spill.
MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - An oil tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil capsized and sank off Manila on Thursday, authorities said, as they raced to contain a spill.
The MT Terra Nova was heading for the central city of Iloilo when it capsized in Manila Bay, nearly seven kilometers off Limay municipality in Bataan province, near the capital, in the early hours.
The MT Terra Nova was heading for the central city of Iloilo when it capsized in Manila Bay, nearly seven kilometers off Limay municipality in Bataan province, near the capital, in the early hours.
The vessel went down as heavy rains fuelled by Typhoon Carina (international name Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon have lashed Manila and surrounding regions in recent days.
The vessel went down as heavy rains fuelled by Typhoon Carina (international name Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon have lashed Manila and surrounding regions in recent days.
An oil spill stretching several kilometres has been detected in the busy waterway.
An oil spill stretching several kilometres has been detected in the busy waterway.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We are racing against time and we will try to do our best to contain it immediately and stop the fuel from leaking," Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said at a briefing.
"We are racing against time and we will try to do our best to contain it immediately and stop the fuel from leaking," Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said at a briefing.
He warned that if all the oil in the tanker were to leak, it would be the biggest spill in Philippine history.
He warned that if all the oil in the tanker were to leak, it would be the biggest spill in Philippine history.
"There is a big danger that Manila will be affected, even the shoreline of Manila, if the fuel will leak, because it is within Manila Bay," Balilo said.
"There is a big danger that Manila will be affected, even the shoreline of Manila, if the fuel will leak, because it is within Manila Bay," Balilo said.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo Loyzaga, together with Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Joet Garcia III and Limay town Mayor Nelson David, visited the site early this morning.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo Loyzaga, together with Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Joet Garcia III and Limay town Mayor Nelson David, visited the site early this morning.
Yulo said she wants to ensure that the severe spread of oil in the waters of Bataan is prevented.
Yulo said she wants to ensure that the severe spread of oil in the waters of Bataan is prevented.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed Yulo, the PCG and the Department of Science and Technology to assess the environmental impact of the oil spill.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed Yulo, the PCG and the Department of Science and Technology to assess the environmental impact of the oil spill.
The President gave the directive during a situation briefing held at the Presidential Security Command compound.
The President gave the directive during a situation briefing held at the Presidential Security Command compound.
“Basically, what we need to assess is where was the capsized vessel? The fuel is being released, what are the tides? What are the winds? Where is it headed? Para maunahan na natin (So we can get ahead of it). We need some determinations of that,” Marcos said.
“Basically, what we need to assess is where was the capsized vessel? The fuel is being released, what are the tides? What are the winds? Where is it headed? Para maunahan na natin (So we can get ahead of it). We need some determinations of that,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, the local government of Limay, Bataan has temporarily banned fishermen from sailing and fishing in the area affected by the oil tanker sinking to avoid the dangers of an oil spill.
Meanwhile, the local government of Limay, Bataan has temporarily banned fishermen from sailing and fishing in the area affected by the oil tanker sinking to avoid the dangers of an oil spill.
According to Limay Vice Mayor Ritchie Jayson David, the local government unit is already meeting with officials from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for a thorough investigation.
According to Limay Vice Mayor Ritchie Jayson David, the local government unit is already meeting with officials from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for a thorough investigation.
According to Balilo, 16 out of 17 crew members of the oil tanker have been rescued and are now under medical attention. The body of the 17th crew who was reported missing, meanwhile, was located in the waters off Limay, Bataan at around 3 p.m.
According to Balilo, 16 out of 17 crew members of the oil tanker have been rescued and are now under medical attention. The body of the 17th crew who was reported missing, meanwhile, was located in the waters off Limay, Bataan at around 3 p.m.
PCG
PCGA photo released by the coast guard showed the MT Terra Nova almost entirely submerged in rough seas.
A photo released by the coast guard showed the MT Terra Nova almost entirely submerged in rough seas.
The Coast Guard Aviation Command is also conducting an aerial survey to assess the ongoing oil spill as part of the response operation.
The Coast Guard Aviation Command is also conducting an aerial survey to assess the ongoing oil spill as part of the response operation.
Thousands of fishermen and tour operators are dependent on the waters for their livelihoods.
Thousands of fishermen and tour operators are dependent on the waters for their livelihoods.
An oil slick stretching about 3.7 kilometers was being carried by a "strong current" in an easterly, north-easterly direction, the Coast Guard said in a report.
An oil slick stretching about 3.7 kilometers was being carried by a "strong current" in an easterly, north-easterly direction, the Coast Guard said in a report.
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said he ordered a probe into the incident.
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said he ordered a probe into the incident.
Marine environmental protection personnel have been mobilized to help contain the slick.
Marine environmental protection personnel have been mobilized to help contain the slick.
"It will definitely affect the marine environment," Balilo said, describing the amount of oil on the ship as "enormous".
"It will definitely affect the marine environment," Balilo said, describing the amount of oil on the ship as "enormous".
PCG
PCG Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista has already instructed the Philippine Coast Guard to deploy available resources to prevent further oil spill.
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista has already instructed the Philippine Coast Guard to deploy available resources to prevent further oil spill.
The PCG said it has deployed two 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs), which will apply oil dispersants to mitigate the impact of the oil spill.
The PCG said it has deployed two 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs), which will apply oil dispersants to mitigate the impact of the oil spill.
“The PCG sets an operational target of seven days to finish siphoning the oil from the sunken tanker to stop further spread,” Commandant Ronnie Gavan also said.
“The PCG sets an operational target of seven days to finish siphoning the oil from the sunken tanker to stop further spread,” Commandant Ronnie Gavan also said.
One of the worst oil spills in the Philippines was in February 2023, when a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil sank off the central island of Mindoro.
One of the worst oil spills in the Philippines was in February 2023, when a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil sank off the central island of Mindoro.
Diesel fuel and thick oil from that vessel contaminated the waters and beaches along the coast of Oriental Mindoro province, devastating the fishing and tourism industries.
Diesel fuel and thick oil from that vessel contaminated the waters and beaches along the coast of Oriental Mindoro province, devastating the fishing and tourism industries.
The oil dispersed over hundreds of kilometres of waters famed for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world.
The oil dispersed over hundreds of kilometres of waters famed for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world.
Thousands of fishermen were ordered to stay ashore, and swimming was banned.
Thousands of fishermen were ordered to stay ashore, and swimming was banned.
In 2006, a tanker sank off the central island of Guimaras spilling tens of thousands of gallons of oil that destroyed a marine reserve, ruined local fishing grounds and covered stretches of coastline in black sludge.
In 2006, a tanker sank off the central island of Guimaras spilling tens of thousands of gallons of oil that destroyed a marine reserve, ruined local fishing grounds and covered stretches of coastline in black sludge.
-With a report from Rod Izon, ABS-CBN News
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
