Tanker carrying 1.4 M liters of oil sinks in Manila Bay

In what could become the worst oil spill incident in Philippine history, a motor tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel sank off the waters of Bataan yesterday.

- EVELYN MACAIRAN

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dispatched three vessels and its marine environment protection unit as MT Terra Nova capsized and eventually submerged 3.6 nautical miles off Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan.

Of the 17 crew aboard Terra Nova, all were rescued except the second mate, according to PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

BRP Melchora Aquino, the PCG’s 44-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV), found the body of the missing crew member.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the deployment of two other MRRVs to augment the ongoing oil spill response operations.

“These vessels will start the application of oil dispersants to immediately mitigate the impact, especially during the period where siphoning is being prepared,” Gavan explained.

Ten rescued crew members are aboard Melchora Aquino, two are at the PCG’s Limay station in Bataan and four are in a hospital for minor injuries.

The PCG coordinated with the local government units of Bataan. A notice to mariners has been issued warning ships to avoid the area.

An aerial survey showed the Terra Nova’s working fuel leaking, measured at two nautical miles spreading east to northeast.

Balilo gave assurance that the working fuel was only a small quantity and the diesel component would not be much of a problem as it evaporates.

The fuel oil cargo inside the submerged tanker could pose a danger to the marine environment if its containers are damaged and contents are leaked into Manila Bay.

Balilo explained that Terra Nova’s location is still part of Manila Bay.

He did not discount the possibility that if large quantities of industrial fuel were released into the water, it could reach the shores of Manila.