Barge loaded with sulfuric acid sinks

BATANGAS CITY — A barge loaded with about 1,270 metric tons of sulfuric acid sank while docked in a shipyard in Bauan town Saturday, the Coast Guard said.

Commander Avelino Fortuna of the Batangas Coast Guard said the bottom hull of the Billy Star barge owned by Grand Asian Shipping Inc. gave way, causing the barge to sink in the Keppel drydock in Barangay San Miguel at about 12:40 a.m.

He said the barge had been docked there for nearly two weeks and was scheduled for repair because its "bullet tank," which contained the sulfuric acid, had leaked.

The Coast Guard immediately conducted a containment operation using an oil spill boom to stop the spread of the sulfuric acid in Batangas Bay. — Arnell Ozaeta