GMM Safety | 2024-08-01 | Case Enviroment |
Manila Bay is facing a worsening environmental crisis after a second oil tanker sank off the coast of the Bataan Peninsula on July 27, further complicating efforts to contain the pollution caused by an earlier sunken vessel.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the oil tanker MTKR Jason Bradley went down near Mariveles town about 5 p.m. local time.
Coast Guard vessels responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of an oil slick in the water.
The vessel was ballasted, reducing the risk of pollution, but an oil slick was still visible. The PCG has deployed an oil boom to contain and prevent the slick from spreading.
Salvage operations for Jason Bradley are scheduled to begin within one to two weeks.There have been no injuries reported, and the PCG has yet to identify the cause of the sinking.
The latest incident adds to the challenges faced by salvage teams dealing with the aftermath of the Terra Nova, which sank on July 25 during Typhoon Gaemi.
The Terra Nova, which is still spilling fuel oil into the waters off Limay, Bataan, was carrying over 370,000 gallons of petroleum.
Initial reports indicated that only the vessel’s fuel was leaking, but the PCG later confirmed that nine valves connected to the cargo tanks were also leaking industrial fuel oil.
Salvage divers have been working tirelessly to seal these valves while pollution control efforts are yet to begin.
Aerial photographs show a large oil slick from the Terra Nova near the small town of Hagonoy at the northern end of Manila Bay.
Greenpeace Philippines has called on the government to take immediate action to clean up the spill and ensure that cleanup charges are levied on the cargo owner.
In related news, the PCG has recognized the crew of the BRP Melchora Aquino for their courageous efforts in rescuing ten survivors from the Terra Nova under difficult conditions last week.
Reference: PCG
