Coast Guard deploys oil boom to counter leaks from half sunk Vietnamese cargo ship in Palawan

As a precaution, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed an oil boom around the Viet Hai Star, a half submerged Vietnamese cargo ship in Balabac Port, Palawan.

In a “24 Oras” report by Chino Gaston on Tuesday, the sinking vessel has been leaking diesel fuel and oil  in the waters of Calondorang Bay since it was abandoned by its crew on Tuesday.


The incident prompted the PCG to immediately deploy oil booms to contain hazardous marine spills from the Vietnamese-flagged vessel that sank Tuesday morning.

Divers have inspected the hull 2,300 ton ship to determine the extent of the damage and to pinpoint the locations of the leak.

“Tinitingnan nila kung may crack at makarekomenda sa shipping company kung ano susunod na hakbangin,” said PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

(They are trying to determine if there are cracks in the hull so they know what to recommend to the shipping company as their next course of action.)

Despite the threats of a chemical spill, the PCG assured that the leak will not affect the beaches around Balabac.

“Hindi tayo dapat mangamba sapagkat hayaan natin ang process ng weathering. Sakaling tumagas
ito, ito’y mag-dissipate under the sun. Kung sakaling may ibang oil na tumagas, maglalagay ng oil spill boom,” the PCG official added.

(We shouldn't be worried since we can rely on the process of weathering. In case of a major leak, it will dissipate under the sun. If oil starts to come out we will contain it with the oil spill boom.)

Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation to determine responsibility for the accident and its effects on the environment.


The 16-year old cargo ship was bound for Cagayan de Oro with 4,000 tons of rice when water entered its forward portion, causing the crew to send a distress call. All 17 men onboard were successully rescued by responding PCG and police search and rescue teams. —RF, GMA Integrated News