PCG deploys 3 vessels to augment oil spill response ops

MANILA, Philippines – Three 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) have been deployed to augment the ongoing oil spill response operations in Bataan.

This was after the Philippine-flagged Motor Tanker Terra Nova sank 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan at about 1:10 a.m. Thursday.

“These vessels will start the application of oil dispersants to immediately mitigate (the) impact, especially during the period where siphoning is being prepared,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.

“The PCG sets an operational target of seven days to finish siphoning the oil from the sunken tanker to stop further spread.”

PCG spokesperson, Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, said based on the investigation, there was no Public Storm Warning Signal raised over Bataan when Terra Nova departed from Limay, Bataan carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil.

Hence, it did not violate rules and regulations pertinent to the movement of vessels during heavy weather.

“The vessel sank 34 meters deep, which is considerably shallow. Siphoning will not be very technical and can be done quickly to protect the vicinity waters of Bataan and Manila Bay against environmental, social, economic, financial, and political impacts,” Balilo said.

As of press time, the PCG was working with several Oil Spill Response Organizations that said they would assist in the ongoing oil spill response operations.

Oil companies such as Petron, the PCG Auxiliary, and local government units also volunteered to help.

Balilo added the PCG would ensure the operations would be conducted in accordance with the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCOP) – an interagency and public-private partnership approach to combatting oil spills.

At about 3 p.m., the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) located the body of Terra Nova’s missing crew in the vicinity waters off Limay, Bataan.