Swimming and water activities at East Coast Park beach open to public after no oil sheens sighted: NEA
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The agency had earlier advised the public against swimming and other primary contact water activities at the beach.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE - Beachgoers can resume swimming and other primary contact water activities at East Coast Park beach from Sept 4, days after the collision of two ships near the area led to concerns of an oil spill.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a Facebook post on Sept 4 that no oil sheens have been sighted in the area since the collision on Sept 1.
As a precautionary measure, the agency had earlier advised the public against water contact activities at the beach after Singapore-registered tanker Marine Dynamo and Malta-registered bulk carrier Flag Gangos collided about 8km south of Tanah Merah.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Sept 1 that both vessels were stable and all crew members were safe and accounted for.
Light oil sheens were sighted in the vicinity of Marine Dynamo, MPA said.
It added that the master of Marine Dynamo had reported that marine gas oil – a light fuel that evaporates and breaks down readily in the environment – had spilt from the service gas tank above the waterline.
MPA earlier said that it had deployed its patrol craft and spill-response craft to investigate and assist in the situation, including dispersing the oil sheens.
