Philippines to deploy underwater vehicle to pinpoint location of stricken oil tanker
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Filipino fishermen collect oily waste along a beach in the coastal town of Pola, Mindoro island, on March 6, 2023.
EPA-EFE
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MANILA – The Philippine authorities believe they have found the location of a tanker that sank off a central province
The MT Princess Empress is thought to be lying at about 366m below sea level, off Oriental Mindoro province, though the information still has to be verified, the ministry said in a statement.
A remotely operated autonomous vehicle will be deployed to help determine the exact location of the tanker, it added.
Experts said the authorities want to know how much oil is inside and how to pump the rest out and stop any leaks.
The vessel was carrying about 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil when it suffered engine trouble on Feb 28 in rough seas, according to the coast guard.
It is not clear what caused the Philippine-flagged vessel to sink, but all 20 crew members were rescued before it went down.
Oil has been found washed up on the shore and in coastal waters near more than 60 villages close to the site where the vessel is thought to have sank, the Philippine disaster agency said.
About 36,000ha of coral reef, mangroves and sea-grass are at risk of being affected by the oil slick, said marine scientists at the University of the Philippines.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor vowed to seek compensation for the damage and other expenses.
“Let me assure you, the damage done directly on the environment and on our people’s livelihood will be given corresponding compensation depending on what is stipulated in the compensation guidelines,” he told a briefing.
The governor was speaking at a briefing together with representatives of the tanker’s owner, RDC Reield Marine Services, and contractors hired for the clean-up.
Local agencies Harbor Star Shipping Services and Malayan Towage and Salvage Corp have been contracted for the job.
“The situation is very difficult... because of the weather. If sea conditions are bad, it is also unsafe for our contractors to work,” Mr Rodrigo Bella, vice-president of Harbor Star, told the media briefing.
A beach covered with black oil in the coastal town of Pola, Mindoro island, Philippines, on March 6, 2023.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Mr Dolor said the contractors hired for the clean-up will shoulder all expenses initially, including paying locals to help.
The national government has also pledged to hire locals under a scheme to assist those whose livelihood has been affected by temporary fishing and swimming bans in affected areas. REUTERS
