July 26 ------ One person is reported missing after a motor tanker capsized and caused an oil spill in Bataan early Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG said search, rescue, and oil spill response operations are ongoing. In a statement, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the incident involving MT Terra Nova happened 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay town around 1:10 a.m. PCG Rear Admiral Balilo said 16 of the 17 crew on board have been rescued. Four of the 16 rescued individuals are already receiving further medical attention.
MT Terra Nova, which was heading to Iloilo, was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel. “The deployed aerial asset monitors an oil spill 5.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point with an estimated coverage (length) of two nautical miles carried by strong current heading east to northeast. Marine environmental protection personnel have also been mobilized to combat the oil spill,” PCG said.
Oil trace
According to Balilo, the oil that was traced was probably the working fuel of the motor tanker and not part of the 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel stored in it. “Probably ito yung fuel na ginagamit ng barko. Yung karga, wala pang signs na tumatagas na,” he told reporters in a virtual interview. “Yun ang magiging goal natin na malaman kung tatagas based doon sa plan ng barko. Malalaman natin kung gaano ka-secure yung water integrity ng mga tanks niya,” he added.
The PCG said that "there was no weather disturbance in the vicinity waters when the maritime incident occurred." PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino launched search and rescue operations for the one missing crew. “PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, has ordered the conduct of an investigation regarding the maritime incident,” the PCG said.
Huge waves
Balilo said that based on the initial account of rescued crew members huge waves hit and filled the motor tanker. “Umalis sila doon sa Bataan papunta ng Iloilo. Pero during that time bandang mga alas 10 ng gabi, naramdaman na nila na malakas na yung alon,” he told reporters. “Nag-decide yung kapitan na bumalik pero initially nahirapan sila sapagkat ang sabi nila pasalubong sila doon sa alon. Ang term ng mga crew ay sumalok sila ng alon at pinasok yung barko hanggang tuluyan silang nag-capsize,” he added.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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