A thick layer of oil can be seen across the water’s surface approximately four kilometres from the coastline in Tibaguin Island, Hagonoy, Bulacan. - Inquirerdotnet on Facebook
MANILA: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Harbor Star divers on Sunday (July 28) sealed 14 leaking valves of the sunken motor tanker in Manila Bay, the agency said on Monday.
The PCG said divers initially found nine leaking valves and detected five more during their operations.
Divers also put “the second layer of capping bags and sealing” so other valves of Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova will not leak.
“The PCG, shipping company, and contracted salvor (Harbor Star) will position and secure the two recovery vessels (barge and motor tanker) on site to commence the siphoning operations on July 30, or on July 1,” PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.
Citing Harbor Star, Gavan added that the PCG plans “to siphon 300,000 litres of industrial fuel oil (IFO), which is enough to gain buoyancy and safely tow the sunken vessel to safe a site where the rest of the IFO will be cleared.”
The contracted salvor said it could siphon “approximately 50,000 to 60,000 litres of IFO daily” and finish within a week.
To aid its recovery efforts, the PCG’s auxiliary force on Monday crafted an improvised spill boom made out of coconut husk to fend off the slick in the affected area.
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo assured the public that the leak was manageable or minimal and that its draining process “can be done quickly.”
Last July 25, MT Terra Nova “capsized and eventually submerged” in waters off Bataan province while carrying industrial fuel, authorities said.
The PCG said the oil from the sunken motor tanker started to leak into Manila Bay, spreading about 12 to 14kms across the area. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
