Successful retrieval operations of diesel fuel recently from a grounded cargo ship off the coast of Canday-ong in Calindagan, Dumaguete City, have eased fears of an oil spill.

Lt. Commander Agapito Bibat, head of the Philippine Coast Guard-Dumaguete Station, reassured the public that there is no danger of oil seepage from the M/V Ever Transport III, as containment measures and suction operations have been conducted.

During the retrieval last week by the M/V Morning Glory, close to 12,000 liters of diesel fuel were siphoned off the M/V Ever Transport III that ran aground on Dec. 17 after Tropical Storm Sendong battered Dumaguete City and other parts of the province.

A recent underwater survey also failed to find the missing lube oil drums, he added.

The Uni Orient Pearl Ventures, the shipping company that owns the M/V Morning Glory, reported to the Coast Guard that it had conducted a 100 percent fuel suction operations, but about 2,800 liters of fuel are still unaccounted for and are either trapped inside the cargo hold of the storage tank on the port side of the grounded ship or lost to sea, Bibat said.

So far, no oil slicks have been monitored in the area, as oil spill booms have been lowered since last week to prevent possible leaking fuel from spreading, he said.

Close monitoring by Coast Guard personnel and Calindagan village officials continue to ensure against oil spills in Canday-ong, Bibat also said.*JFP

back to top