MANILA, Philippines — In response to the sinking of the Philippine-flagged Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova on Thursday, 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point in Limay, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has sent out three 44-meter multi-role response vessels to support oil spill response activities in Bataan.
As preparations are made for siphoning, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan declared that these ships will begin using oil dispersants to lessen the impact on marine resources in the impacted area.
To stop the oil from spreading further, the PCG has set a seven-day deadline for finishing the siphoning process from the submerged tanker.
Around 3 p.m. The missing crew member of MT Terra Nova was found dead on Thursday by the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702).
A spokesperson for PCG, Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, stated that when MT Terra Nova sailed from Limay carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil (IFO), there was no public storm warning signal over Bataan.
Rear Admiral Balilo declared, “Therefore, it did not violate regulations regarding vessel movement during heavy weather.”
He stated that the ship submerged to a comparatively modest 34 meters below the surface.
Balilo continued, “Siphoning won’t be very technical and can be done quickly to protect the waters of Bataan and Manila Bay from environmental, social, economic, financial, and political impacts.”
The PCG is now working with a number of public and private organizations that have offered support for the oil spill response operations. Additionally, businesses such as Petron, the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA), and local government units (LGUs) are also offering their assistance.
Balilo stressed that the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCOP), a joint venture between the public and commercial sectors under the direction of CG Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria, head of the PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM), would be followed.
