Coast Guard: It's oil sheen, not oil spill

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard has clarified that there is no oil spill in Danao after a tanker sank last Tuesday in the seawaters off the city.

Commodore Rolando Dizon, commandant of the Coast Guard Visayas, said that residents as well as fishermen in the said place need not worry of the reported oil spill as the M/T Golden Rose did not carry oil.

Dizon explained that the vessel had a special permit to travel for drydocking issued by the Maritime Industry Authority and that it only had 260 liters of diesel in its tanker, enough for its voyage to the Danao Republic Dry Dock.

Dizon also said that the sludge noticed by fishermen and fisherfolks that they mistook for oil spill is only “oil sheen” normally produced by marine vessels while on travel.

The oil tanker with a 140.7 gross tonnage was first docked in Mandaue City until owners decided to transfer the vessel to Danao for more repairs.

It reportedly incurred a hole in its engine room while navigating about 3.5 nanometers away from barangay Maslog, Danao City.

The eight crewmembers and the captain abandoned the ship and boarded a life raft.

Rescued were Capt. Arturo Yap, chief mate Roque Espra of Baybay, Leyte; quarter master Owen Doqueta of Abuyog, Leyte; oiler Hendrich Plasquita of Matalom, Leyte; chief engineer Pedro Barquero of Cebu City; quarter master Francis Mutuc of barangay Mabolo, Cebu City; Jonas Loon of Baybay, Leyte; and 2nd engineer Eduardo Enicito of Urgello Street, Cebu City. — Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)