PCG starts siphoning oil from sunken tanker

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started siphoning 1.4 million liters of fuel oil from motor tanker Terra Nova, which sank off the waters of Bataan last month.

PCG Bataan Station Commander Michael John Encina said they have started removing the oil contaminants from the cargo hold of the 65-meter tanker, which sank at the height of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.

On Monday, the salvor Harbor Star concluded the hot tapping, wherein they pumped water into the tank that would push the oil to float upward and be siphoned.

“If the initial siphoning in one tank goes well, then the intention is to conduct the hot tapping in eight tanks so that simultaneously we can siphon the oil from the submerged ship,” Encina said.

According to Encina, the PCG will start the salvaging operations of the sunken tanker once the oil cargo is siphoned from the ship.

The PCG will refloat Terra Nova so that it can be brought to a safe place.

The Coast Guard has secured all the 24 valves and there have been no sign of an oil sheen, according to Encina.

He said the progress of the siphoning operations would depend on other factors such as the weather and sea conditions.

The PCG said the oil spill has been contained.