A maritime incident involving the Philippine-flagged Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova that submerged 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point, caused an oil spill in Bataan early Thursday.
According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary, Jaime Bautista, the fuel tanker was carrying 1,494 metric tons of industrial fuel and heading to Iloilo, when the boat. A distress call was immediately sent out, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were able to respond a few minutes after.
The Philippine Coast Guard Aviation Command then performed an aerial survey in response to the ongoing oil spill. They were able to monitor an oil spill of 5.6 nautical miles east of Lamao point with an estimated length of two nautical miles carried by a strong current heading east to northeast.
Bautista said that the rough weather conditions caused by Typhoon Carina made it difficult for them to immediately dispatch rescuers in the area. However, he assured that they are in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Rescources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), to speed up the process of operations.
16 out of the 17 crew members have been rescued, with four of them already receiving further medical treatment. The PCG has launched a search and rescue operation for the one missing crew.
Meanwhile, PCG Commandment, CG Admiral Ronnie Gavan has ordered to conduct an investigation regarding the maritime incident.
