THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has observed oil sheen at the vicinity of Tubbataha Reef, a world heritage site and a known scuba diving area, where a diving yacht sank last Sunday.
In an online press briefing yesterday, PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armand Balilo said: “We observed oil sheen in the area where it (MY Dream Keeper) sank but it’s not that significant, that’s why our oil response team is there.”
“It’s just oil sheen but we are monitoring, closely monitoring and preparing our oil response team so that in case there will be (an) oil spill, we will be able to contain it right away,” Balilo also said.
He surmised the vessel was using diesel, which he said is not problematic if spilt. However, he could not immediately say how much diesel was inside the vessel.
He assured the public that the presence of an oil sheen “is not an indication” of an oil spill, explaining that an oil sheen is usual whenever a vessel sinks.
“There is no threat of oil spill (at present) but we are ready. Hopefully, there will be no oil spill,” said Balilo.
Balilo also reported search and rescue operations continue for the missing occupants of the ill-fated MY Dream Keeper.
Citing information from Coast Guard District Palawan, Balilo said the yacht sank on Sunday morning about four nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef due to squall, a sudden violent gust of wind or a localized storm.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said MY Dream Keeper was reported to be ferrying a team of 15 crew, and 17 passengers, five of whom are dive masters.
Balilo said 28 of the passengers, including four Chinese, have been rescued but four remain missing – two guests, the yacht’s owner and a dive master who are all Filipinos.
Balilo said the 28 rescued individuals are currently onboard BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the vessels involved in the continuing search and rescue operations for the still-missing victims.
He said BRP Melchora Aquino may leave the area later Monday to transport the rescued individuals to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
Balilo said the rescue operations in the area will continue with the help of at least 10 yachts. He said diving enthusiasts in the area have ceased leisure diving to help in the search and rescue mission.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said she has met with Defense acting Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino to discuss the ongoing search and rescue efforts on the capsized vessel.
Frasco said she has instructed the DOT Dive Committee, including the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), the DOT’s attached agency in charge of regulating scuba sports and technical diving in the country, to extend all assistance possible to the survivors of the capsized yacht.
Frasco also said the DOT remains in constant coordination with the PCG, the Philippine Navy, and the private entities involved in the incident.
Located in Palawan, Philippines, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to a great diversity of marine life. The reef ecosystems support over 360 species of coral and almost 700 species of fish.
According to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the reef lies “in a unique position in the center of the Sulu Sea, and actually includes the Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley Reefs. It covers an area of almost 100,000 hectares of high-quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea.”
Meanwhile, Balilo also reported that search and rescue efforts are also ongoing for two missing Chinese crewmembers of a dredger that capsized off Corregidor Island last Friday.
The dredger, Sierra Leone-flagged MV Hong Hail 189, capsized after a collision with oil tanker, Marshall Island-flagged MT Petite Soeur, leaving three dead and two still missing.
Fifteen other crewmembers were rescued.
Balilo said divers have completed the search on MV Hong Hai on Sunday and found no one inside. With the development, he said the diving operations have been terminated.
“What we terminated is the diving operation, but the search and rescue operation is continuing,” said Balilo.
As to the cause of the mishap, Balilo said the captain of MV Hong Hai alleged the oil tanker crossed their path, causing his vessel to hit the latter at its rear part.
“We’re going to check if there was a crossing situation or overtaking (that happened).
That’s the two possible angles in the investigation that we are conducting,” said Balilo.
Balilo said there is no threat of oil spill due to the incident. “There’s no oil spill in the area but we deployed oil spill boom so that we will be ready if there will be oil spill,” he said.
Balilo said the plan is to tow the dredger to Mariveles, Bataan where it will be inspected.
