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PCG starts simulation of siphoning operation for MTKR Terranova
PCG starts simulation of siphoning operation for MTKR Terranova
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted a mock operation of the siphoning of the 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil (IFO) and salvaging of the sunken motor tanker MTKR Terranova in Limay, Bataan on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Lt. Cdr. Michael John Encina, commander of Coast Guard Station Bataan, said the simulation – held at the Lamao Port – aims to determine the best way to conduct the draining of the oil from the tanker and to make it float so it could be taken to shallow waters.
“We have this simulation at the Lamao Port so we can see the overall situation and know what system is best to use for the siphoning procedures,” he told reporters.
The simulation was observed by the eight-man team of maritime experts from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and participated in by the contracted salvor for MTKR Terranova, Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc.
“They will provide their assessment and observations, recommendations, and technical advice relative to our current operations,” Encina said.
Based on initial plans, about 300,000 liters out of the total 1.4 million liters of cargo fuel are going to be drained from MTKR Terranova as it is enough to make the tanker float. The siphoning operation is expected to last for six to seven days as about 50,000 to 60,000 liters of oil are targeted to be siphoned per day.
Once afloat, the tanker will be brought to a safe area where the removal of the remaining fuel will be continued.
Harbor Star has also finished the manufacturing of the metal caps that will be used to seal all the pipes and valves of the MTKR Terranova. The sealing of the valves and pipes, which is expected to take one week, will make sure that no oil will leak once the siphoning and salvaging operations begin.
Fact-finding team
Meanwhile, the marine casualty investigation team formed by the PCG last week has found out that bad weather was the common denominator in the sinking of MTKR Terranova and MTKR Jason Bradley, and the beaching of MV Mirola 1.
“Ang nakikita natin dito ay sama ng panahon na nakaapekto sa paglalayag ng mga nasabing barko at pati sa isang barko na nakaangkla lamang (What we see is that the bad weather affected the voyages of the said ships, including one vessel that was only anchored),” Encina said.
The PCG earlier reported that MTKR Terranova sank off Limay’s coast on July 25 due to bad weather. Super Typhoon Carina struck the country on July 22 but there was no tropical cyclone warning signal raised over the area at the time, according to Encina, so the tanker passed the pre-departure inspection of the Coast Guard Station Bataan.
Meanwhile, MTKR Jason Bradley was anchored in the vicinity waters of Mariveles while carrying 5,500 liters of diesel fuel when it was carried by strong current and eventually sank on July 27.
“The installation of the siphoning pipes to MTKR Jason Bradley is nearly finished. They [salvor] will suck the seawater inside the vessel to make it afloat and that’s when the siphoning of the 5,500 liters of diesel oil will begin. The development is good and we are hoping that MTKR Jason Bradley will be salvaged by next week,” Encina said.
Lastly, the PCG found out that MV Mirola 1 sailed from Navotas en route to Bataan without undergoing pre-departure inspection as it has no proper documents. The PCG received a report on July 23 that the cargo vessel ran aground off Mariveles due to bad weather.
Encina said that the contracted salvor for MV Mirola 1 appeared in Bataan on Wednesday to start salvaging the beached cargo vessel. He clarified that MV Mirola 1 also had no cargo fuel onboard, contrary to the initial report by the PCG that it contained two drums full of heavy oil and 3,000 liters of diesel.
Read: Bataan oil spill: Shipping company of MTKR Terranova denies oil smuggling allegations
As for the allegation that the three vessels were allegedly involved in oil smuggling, Encina said that the PCG has already coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to determine the veracity of such reports.
“We created a joint investigation team with the NBI yesterday [Tuesday]. We are consolidating all the important details of the three ships and we will talk to the crew of MTKR Terranova and MTKR Jason Bradley. As for MV Mirola 1, we are locating its crew,” Encina said.