MANILA, Philippines — A tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil has sunken off the coast of Limay Bataan in the wee hours of Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
At a press briefing, PCG spokesperson Armando Balilo said that Philippine-flagged motor tanker Terra Nova capsized and eventually submerged 3.6 nautical miles east off the coast of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan, at around 1:10 AM today, 25 July 2024.
There was no weather disturbance in the vicinity waters when the maritime incident occurred and has issued warning to mariners to avoid the area where the tanker sank, according to the PCG official.
According to the crews’ account given to Balilo, around 10 PM, they experienced strong waves, prompting the captain to return. They initially struggled because they were facing the waves directly which led to the ship capsizing.
The distressed vessel was carrying 1.4 metric tons or 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil and was off to Iloilo when it sank, he said.
The PCG also said that 16 of the 17 crew on board have been rescued and are now receiving medical attention for minor injuries. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are underway to look for the last missing crew.
Currently, authorities are tracking an oil spill about 5.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point. The spill extends for roughly two nautical miles and is moving east-northeast due to strong currents. Marine environmental protection teams have been sent in to handle the spill.
“So far minimal pa lang ‘yung nakita nating oil spill, probably ito ‘yung fuel na ginagamit ng barko pero ‘yung karga wala pang signs na tumatagas na at yun ang magiging goal natin, malaman kung tatagas, malalaman natin kung gaano ka-secure ‘yung water integrity nung mga tanks niya,” Balilo said.
