Oil sheen spotted near Tubbataha Reef

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A diving trip turned into a nightmare after the dive yacht MY Dream Keeper sank in the vicinity of Tubbataha Reef on Sunday morning. STORY: Oil sheen spotted near Tubbataha Reef

A diving trip turned into a nightmare after the dive yacht MY Dream Keeper sank in the vicinity of Tubbataha Reef on Sunday morning. (Photo from the Facebook page of the Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA, Philippines — Contingency measures were being readied after an oil sheen was spotted near Tubbataha Reef, a day after the dive yacht MY Dream Keeper sank in the vicinity of the world-renowned scuba diving site on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

While the presence of the oil sheen was not yet worrying, PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said they were closely monitoring the situation and were preparing to respond.

“We monitored an oil sheen on the site where the vessel sank. We are closely monitoring and preparing our oil spill response team in case of an oil spill so we will be able to contain it right away,” he said in an online press briefing on Monday.

—FRANCES MANGOSING

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