Philippine Spill Called "Worst Ever" for Island Nation
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The remains of the sunken tanker “Solar I” have been located, three weeks after it went down in rough seas off the coast the Philippine Islands. The oil spill is already being called the worst ever seen by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Clean-up estimates now point to a six-month effort, with environmental experts saying that the long term effects will last for years to come. The vessel is thought to have already leaked about 50,000 gallons, but about 450,000 gallons still remain trapped in its hull. The Japanese research “Shinsei Maru” arrived at the port of Iloilo last Wednesday night and conducted a sonar sweep of the area where the government's mapping bureau said the Solar I went under and reported having detected the wreck.
As local officials attempt to determine how the tanker might be raised or how its cargo could be siphoned off, questions about the ship’s last voyage are being raised. The tanker sank in heavy seas on August 11th. Sixteen crew members were rescued, but two remained missing. At least 200 kilometers of shoreline, white sandy beaches and fishing grounds have been soiled with the vessel’s cargo of heavy fuel oil. The tanker’s charterer, Petron, has vowed to remain on site until affected areas have been cleaned and rehabilitated. Assisting in the massive cleanup operation are environmental experts from Japan, the United States and France, and environmental groups Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund.
Separate from the cleanup operation, Philippine government officials are now investigating the ship’s owners and its Master for possible violations of environmental laws. A local press account said last week that the board of directors for the owners of the stricken vessel had been barred from leaving the country. Additionally, the investigation into the vessel’s sinking has taken particular focus on the Captain of the “Solar I,” the validity of his professional certificates, the suitability of his training to command such a vessel and his decision to proceed with the voyage under questionable circumstances and worsening weather on the night of the incident.
As the cleanup continues, the Japanese research vessel will conduct further underwater surveys to determine whether the remaining oil inside the hull is leaking. Marine and environmental experts will then come up with recommendations on how to deal with the wreck. Ultimately, the Philippine coast guard will decide how to best prevent further spillage from the vessel.