REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Coast Guard Responds to Half Submerged Oil Tanker in Oriental Mindoro
Photo credit: PCG
In a maritime incident that occurred last February 28, 2023, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed one vessel and one helicopter to respond to a half-submerged motor tanker, MT PRINCESS EMPRESS, in the vicinity waters off Balingawan Point, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
An initial investigation revealed that the distressed motor tanker encountered engine trouble due to overheating. It then drifted towards the vicinity waters off Balingawan Point due to rough sea conditions until it became half-submerged. The tanker had 20 crew members on board, including the master, and was carrying approximately 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.
The PCG deployed BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog to provide necessary assistance and assess the vicinity waters for possible traces of an oil spill. The PCG Command Center has also directed the Coast Guard Aviation Force to dispatch one airbus helicopter for aerial surveillance.
Fortunately, a foreign vessel, MV EFES, was able to rescue the 20 crew members in good physical condition. The PCG then assisted in the arrival of MV EFES in the vicinity waters off Subic, Zambales, where the rescued individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for medical assistance.
However, in the latest report from BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), it was monitored that there is approximately 6-kilometer-long and 4-kilometer-wide oil spillage in the waters of Balingawan Point, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro around 06:10AM today, March 1, 2023. It was also confirmed by the PCG response team that the MT PRINCESS EMPRESS has already sunk in the said waters.
The PCG, together with the Coast Guard Station Oriental Mindoro, Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU)-Southern Tagalog, and M/TUG TITAN, continues to monitor the incident site and participate in the ongoing oil spill assessment and oil spill response operation. The Coast Guard Aviation Force is also scheduled to conduct additional aerial surveillance.
An initial investigation revealed that the distressed motor tanker encountered engine trouble due to overheating. It then drifted towards the vicinity waters off Balingawan Point due to rough sea conditions until it became half-submerged. The tanker had 20 crew members on board, including the master, and was carrying approximately 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.
The PCG deployed BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog to provide necessary assistance and assess the vicinity waters for possible traces of an oil spill. The PCG Command Center has also directed the Coast Guard Aviation Force to dispatch one airbus helicopter for aerial surveillance.
Fortunately, a foreign vessel, MV EFES, was able to rescue the 20 crew members in good physical condition. The PCG then assisted in the arrival of MV EFES in the vicinity waters off Subic, Zambales, where the rescued individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for medical assistance.
However, in the latest report from BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), it was monitored that there is approximately 6-kilometer-long and 4-kilometer-wide oil spillage in the waters of Balingawan Point, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro around 06:10AM today, March 1, 2023. It was also confirmed by the PCG response team that the MT PRINCESS EMPRESS has already sunk in the said waters.
The PCG, together with the Coast Guard Station Oriental Mindoro, Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU)-Southern Tagalog, and M/TUG TITAN, continues to monitor the incident site and participate in the ongoing oil spill assessment and oil spill response operation. The Coast Guard Aviation Force is also scheduled to conduct additional aerial surveillance.
Mar 1, 2023
