PCG continues cleanup of M/V Princess of the Stars oil spill

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard is continuing its clean up operations on the 400 liters of oily mixture from the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars that spilled out into the coastline of San Fernando, Romblon on May 31.

In a statement, the PCG reported that the oil spill came out of the engine room as they were pumping air to refloat the vessel on May 31.

The PCG-Marine Environment Protection Unit personnel conducted a shoreline inspection and discovered traces of oil spill. It appeared that about 400 liters of the oily mixture affected an approximate of 4,000 meter-shoreline of Sitio Cabitangahan of Barangay Taclobo and Barangay España of San Fernando, Romblon province. 

The PCG immediately coordinated with the salvor Royal Jessan Petromin Resources Inc. who hired 12 civilians for the task. The PCG also used an oil dispersant and immediately spread out its oil spill boom to contain the oil slick and to begin the clean up operations.

They managed to clean up 1,000 meters and approximately two cubic meters of oily/sticky debris were collected during low tide. 

They observed the following day that the oil had a very minimal effect on the shoreline.

The PCG also fixed the leak from the engine fuel oil pipe where the oil slick came from to prevent future oil spills.

In a related development, PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo recently ordered the deployment of six additional Special Operations Group (SOG) divers to their existing nine-man team. RJPRI promised to add more divers to their 22 men to speed up their retrieval operations.

But Tamayo cautioned the divers to be prudent and not take unnecessary risk when they scour inside the sunken ship since they would be operating at a time when the waves are rough and there are still obstructions inside the wreck.

Tamayo earlier set June 21, that marks the second anniversary of the sinking of the M/V POTS, as also the day when they terminate their retrieval for the skeletal remains from the wreckage.