malaysiangMANILA: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it is preparing for the worst case scenario that the oil spill off the coast of Limay, Bataan would reach Manila Bay.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the oil spill is from the engine of the sunken Motor Tanker Terra Nova, not from its industrial fuel cargo.
He said the crew members seemed to have secured the cargo before they abandoned the ship.
‘Wala pa namang leak sa tangke ng barko pero may instruction si (Coast Guard) Admiral (Ronnie Gil) Gavan na (There is no leak yet from the industrial fuel cargo tanks but Admiral Gavan already gave an instruction that) we should prepare for the worst scenario kaya nag-coordinate na tayo sa mga (so we coordinated with) local government units at naghahanda tayo na kung sakaling tumagas ay makaresponde tayo ng maayos (and we are preparing in case this leaks so we can properly respond),’ Balilo said.
Based on the oil spill’s trajectory affected by the wind d
irection and sea currents, Balilo said the coasts of Manila, Navotas, Bulacan and Pampanga may be affected.
The assessment of PCG showed two kilometers of oil slick.
Balilo said no siphoning operation is being done yet and that they are still discussing with the ship owner and the salvage company about their plans to contain the situation.
The vessel carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel sank off Lamao Point in Limay on Thursday.
Balilo clarified that the vessel had not broken rules on heavy-weather sailing as there was no typhoon signal yet when it started to sail late Wednesday.
However, the ship’s captain decided to turn back and abort the journey when they started to encounter rough seas.
The captain then asked for help and another ship tried to pull them, but the rope was cut as the vessel encountered large waves.
All but one of 17 crew members were rescued by the PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino.
The body of the lone seafarer who went missing was recovered Thursday night.
The enhanced southwe
st monsoon and Typhoon Carina battered Metro Manila and surrounding provinces on Wednesday. Some provinces, like Pangasinan, reported inclement weather until Friday.
Source: Philippines News Agency
