Philippine Coast Guard Responds to Oil Spill Threat in Manila Bay

The Philippine Coast Guard has initiated emergency measures to contain an oil spill from the capsized MT Terra Nova, which sank during severe monsoon rains on Thursday. The vessel, measuring 65 meters in length, was carrying approximately 1.5 million liters of industrial fuel when it capsized, with the leak originating from its engine rather than its cargo tank. Authorities are particularly concerned about the potential environmental impact, as the spill could reach Manila Bay, a crucial hub for trade and economic activity in the Philippines. Rear Admiral Balilo emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the oil spill poses a significant threat to the marine environment. He estimated that it would take about a week to drain the oil from the ship, which sank in waters approximately 34 meters deep. However, the relatively shallow terrain may facilitate the siphoning process. The Coast Guard has deployed floating barriers and suction hoses to mitigate the spill's spread. The response efforts have been hampered by the ongoing monsoon rains, exacerbated by Typhoon Gaemi, which have caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. The MT Terra Nova was one of two vessels that sank during the typhoon, with the other incident occurring off Taiwan's southwestern coast. Despite the challenging conditions, the ship was found to be compliant with regulations for navigating in heavy weather, and no storm signals were issued at the time of its departure. The captain's attempt to return to shore was complicated by adverse sea conditions, highlighting the dangers faced by maritime operations during severe weather events.