PCG: MTKR Terranova siphoning moved to 'not later than 2 weeks'

The siphoning operation for the sunken motor tanker Terranova in Bataan waters has been postponed to not later than two weeks, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday.

In a statement, the PCG said the initial capping bags on the valves of the motor tanker, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial oil when it sank, will be replaced with metal caps to avoid a “disastrous oil spill” during the conduct of the siphoning operation.

“With the above developments, the siphoning will be moved to not later than two weeks from now,” PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.

“This due diligence measure will however afford us with better control to reduce to barest minimum the possibility of disastrous oil spill during the conduct of siphoning activity,” he added.

Gavan said the fabrication of metal cappings will take seven days and their installation will take another seven days.  

“This week, the earlier attached seals made of special canvass capping bags will be replaced with a new set to avoid undue risks from wear and tear from its exposure to oil,” the PCG said.

The PCG earlier said the siphoning operation will start once all the 24 valves are sealed. All initial capping of valves and high-level alarm pipes have been done, it said.

Even with the initial sealing of the valves, “very thin oil sheens” are still observed in the area, the PCG pointed.

“Very thin oil sheens are still present, but control measures are in place, including oil spill booms laid, skimmers on site, and oil dispersants being employed, as necessary,” the PCG said.

The working barge and the tanker that will receive the oil from MTKR Terranova in the siphoning operation are already positioned on site.

Of the 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, 300,000 liters need to be siphoned to float MTKR Terranova. This would take up to seven days, the PCG explained. The motor tanker will then be moved to a shallow area.

On July 25, one crew member died and 16 others were rescued after MTKR Terranova capsized and sank 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay town.

Aside from MTKR Terranova, two ships — MTKR Jason Bradley with 5,500 liters of diesel and MV Mirola 1 with used oil and diesel — were found to have leaks after sinking off Bataan waters.

A state of calamity has been declared in eight towns in Cavite due to the oil spill affecting the areas, Governor Jonvic Remulla said on Wednesday.

Aside from this, Remulla said the provincial government also imposes a “no catch zone” for all shellfish in the vicinity waters of their area. 

Instances of oil spill have been reported in some areas in Bulacan, Cavite, and Metro Manila allegedly due to the sinking of MT Terranova. However, the PCG said they have yet to verify such information.

The United States Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are set to help in the salvage operations of MTKR Terranova.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said that the seven-man team from the US will arrive in the country this weekend. —KBK, GMA Integrated News