The Philippine Coast Guard and PDRRMO-Bataan conducted drone aerial surveillance and shoreline assessment in the vicinity waters of Sitio Quiapo, Barangay Biaan, Mariveles, Bataan, where MV Mirola 1 ran aground today, 31 July 2024. Photo by CG PO3 Domingo & CG ASW Facalarin/CGPAS and PDRRMO

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said the location of a new troubled vessel in Bataan was in a "very challenging location," making it difficult to assess its circumstances and possible oil spill.

• Another oil spill off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan; crew members of ship nowhere to be found

"Itong location nitong MV Mirola 1 is very challenging. This is situated sa 5 Fingers ng Mariveles, Bataan, adjacent sa West Philippine Sea na, so open na po siya, malalaki ang alon," Lt. Commander Michael Encina, incident commander of PCG Bataan Oil Spill Response, told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

Encina said the they have only seen minimal oil sheen coming from the vessel. 

"Kahapon na-check natin, may nakitang paunti-unting oil sheen, may nakikitang oil spill sa gilid ng motor vessel," he said.

On Wednesday, MV Mirola-1 was found almost tilted to its side after it ran aground the shallow waters off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan.

"Meron siyang loaded na 2 drum na heavy fuel oil. Meron din itong 3,000 liters ng diesel," Encina said.

The Coast Guard has identified the owner of the abandoned vessel.

"Mary Jane Ubaldo [ang owner]. First time daw nila sa ganitong situation, ang sinabi nila ay natakot daw sila na sabihin, i-report sa authorities, sa Coast Guard [yung insidente]," Encina said.

• Bataan town reels from oil spill

 M/V Mirola 1 is the third vessel to cause an oil leak in Bataan in recent weeks.

MT TERRA NOVA UPDATE

Meanwhile, the PCG said its resealing and recapping MT Terra Nova's valves and pipes continue and the siphoning equipment is already "prepositioned."

• Bataan oil spill 'not as massive' as Mindoro oil spill: BFAR

"Yung mga siphoning equipment ay naka-preposition na. Yung barko na paglalagayn ng oil na makukuha ay nadun na rin sa ground zero. Hinihintay na lang na matapos yung resealing, recapping para ma-ensure na safe yung gagawin na siphoning operation," Encina reported. 

 The oil spill from MT Terra Nova was estimated to be "1 liter per hour."

"Sa aerial survey hindi na ganun kalawak yung oil sheen na nakikita unlike nung first 2 days na umaabot ng 12 to 14 nautical miles," Encina added.

•Oil spill from MT Terra Nova projected to reach Batangas: UP MSI

The tanker was carrying 1.4 liters of industrial fuel when it sank in Limay, Bataan last week due to bad weather.

Meanwhile, the operation on MT Jason Bradley, which sunk in the vicinity waters of Barangay Cabcaben, Mariveles town over the weekend, also continues.

• Another tanker sinks in Bataan

"Yung MT Jason Bradley, as we speak, nandun na yung tug boat na mag-siphon sa 5,000 liters na on board sa MT Bradley. Naka-deploy na rin ang mga oil spill boom sa paligid," Encina said.

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