Cargo vessel, dredger collide near Baseco Beach; oil spill feared

PCG deploys BRP Panglao to conduct close monitoring and provide necessary assistance to distressed cargo vessel, MV Palawan Pearl located outside breakwater of Baseco Beach, approximately 100 meters from Baseco Beach shoreline today, 08 July 2021. MV Palawan Pearl collided with foreign dredger, BKM 104 at the vicinity waters off South Harbor Anchorage area at around 02:10 a.m. today. Image from Facebook/Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — A cargo vessel collided with a foreign dredging ship some 100 meters from Baseco beach in Manila early Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard said, with both ships carrying substantial amounts of fuel onboard.

The collision between MV Palawan Pearl and the Cyprus-flagged vessel BKM 104 took place just outside the South Harbor Anchorage area, past 2 a.m.

The MV Palawan Pearl, which had 3,000 liters of diesel oil, remained half-submerged as of posting time. The PCG said it had laid an oil spill boom after it observed an “oil sheen” around the ship.

The vessel also contained a drum of diesel oil, 60 liters of engine oil and 5 liters of bilge oil, the PCG said, quoting one of the ship’s crew members Rexchel Fabrigas.

Image from Facebook/PCG

The BKM 104 was contracted to conduct dredging and other land development activities for the New Manila Airport.

No crew members of the two vessels were hurt in the incident.

The PCG said it has deployed BRP Panglao to closely monitor and assist MV Palawan Pearl.

EDV