Salvage of sunken tanker Jason Bradley off Mariveles might take 2 weeks

Authorities said it might take up to two weeks to salvage the sunken tanker Jason Bradley off Mariveles, Bataan.

“It will take around two weeks for the salvage operations to be completed for this second vessel,” said Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia. 

In Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the wreck of the MTKR Jason Bradley was already surrounded by an oil spill boom. Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels are keeping watch in the area.

The motor tanker was carrying 5,500 liters of diesel left before it sank to a depth of 9 meters, resting on the muddy bottom 600 yards away from the shore on Saturday, July 27. 

The PCG said diesel has less effects on the environment compared to industrial oil which is used in other vessels.

The Jason Bradley is the second tanker to sink off the coast of Bataan in just a matter of days. The MT Terra Nova capsized in the waters off Lamao Point in Limay last Thursday, July 25.

The Terra Nova carried 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil (IFO) that is leaking into Manila Bay. The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute fears the oil spill will reach the coastal areas of Bulacan and Cavite if left unchecked. 

The PCG said that the oil leaking from the MT Terra Nova is now estimated to be one liter per hour, far from the two gallons of oil per minute when it first capsized.

“That cannot affect doon po sa ating marine environment, so isang malaking development po ito,” said PCG Central Luzon spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina. 

(That cannot affect our marine environment, so this is a major development.)

According to the salvaging company, the pressure valves and the high level alarm sensors of MT Terranova have been sealed.

The siphoning or absorption of 300,000 liters of oil from the capsized vessel is expected to begin on Tuesday, the report said. 

Once it is re-floated, the ship will be towed to shore where the siphoning will continue, the report added.

“Paparating ngayon yung motor tanker Helena Marie which is a sister tanker ni MT Terranova at doon, lahat nang masi-siphon natin na IFO will be brought to motor tanker Helena Marie,” said Encina.

(Motor tanker Helena Marie, the sister ship of the Terranova, is en route to the area. All the IFOs to be siphoned will be transferred to the Helena Marie.)

Authorities have yet to monitor any oil spill on the Bataan coast, but improvised oil spill booms made of coconut shells to absorb oils have been prepared. 

Based on sensory analysis, there have been no changes to the fish being sold in Bataan markets but laboratory tests are needed. There is currently a fishing ban off Limay as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health will observe the groundwater in Bataan every two to three days.
—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News