Coast Guard personnel rush to plug leaks in sunken ship

ILOILO CITY—The Philippine Coast Guard and operators of the ill-fated MV Asia Malaysia are rushing operations for the possible siphoning of the vessel’s remaining fuel to prevent an oil spill.

Commodore Athelo Ybañez, Coast Guard Western Visayas commander, said on Sunday that divers were assessing the position and situation of the vessel, some three miles off the coast of Manapla town in Negros Occidental.

“Our top priority is preventing an oil spill through the plugging of leaks and openings or the siphoning of the fuel,” Ybañez said.

A minimal oil slick was observed last week but was contained by oil spill booms placed around the area of the sinking.

Ybañez said the vessel was carrying about 21,000 liters of fuel when it sank. These include 5,000 liters of diesel fuel and 16,000 liters of a mixture of bunker and diesel fuel.

He said the sunken vessel can also be re-floated if there is no danger of a leakage or oil spill. The vessel sank at a depth of 13 meters which makes it easier to re-float it.

The 2,439-tonner vessel operated by Trans-Asia Shipping Inc. sank on July 31, a few hours after its 178 passengers and crew members were transferred to passing ships and boats.

Trans-Asia has tapped the PLCK Mercantile Services in conducting an underwater assessment and the possible siphoning of the remaining fuel.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ramon Liwag said in an earlier interview that Coast Guard personnel and equipment were placed on stand-by to prevent a massive oil spill in the area if the fuel tanks were ruptured.

The sinking of the vessel occurred almost five years after the Aug. 11, 2006 sinking of the MT Solar I off the coast of Guimaras Island.

The sinking of the tanker triggered a massive oil spill after about 2 million liters of bunker fuel leaked from the vessel. The oil spill contaminated the island’s marine resources and dislocated thousands of residents.

Ybañez said the Coast Guard, police and volunteers were securing the area of the sinking against possible looters who were after the abandoned cargo and belongings left by passengers.