SINGAPORE: The Sentosa Development Council (SDC) began to cordon off affected parts of Palawan Beach several hours after it was first notified by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) at about 3.30pm on Friday (Jun 14).
Dredger Vox Maxima hit stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal at about 2.20pm that day, resulting in some oil from a damaged cargo tank spilling into the water.
In response to CNA's queries, SDC said on Monday that it began monitoring the waters for potential spread of the oil spill near Sentosa's beaches after being alerted by MPA on Friday afternoon.
At approximately 9.20pm, SDC said it started to cordon off affected parts of Palawan Beach, while the clean-up started the following morning.
"On Jun 15, 2024, at about 7am, we observed the spread in waters due to the tidal current throughout our beaches, at Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong, as well as Sentosa Cove," it added.
"We immediately deployed staff to commence clean-up at our shores alongside MPA and relevant authorities."
When asked what was the situation when MPA first alerted SDC, the council pointed to the authority's first press release on Friday in relation to the incident.
"The affected cargo tank has been isolated and the spill contained," the release read.
"MPA, Port Authority of Singapore (PSA) and the bunker vessel company have activated oil spill response craft to the location. The oil spill clean-up operation is currently in progress."
Sentosa's beaches remain open to the public, but sea activities and swimming are still not allowed at Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso beaches.
Beaches on three Singapore islands - St John's, Lazarus and Kusu - are also closed until further notice, the authorities said on Sunday evening, after Friday's oil spill spread to several coastlines.
The closure of the beaches at the islands is in addition to areas B to H of East Coast Park, as well as the jetty and rocky shore of Labrador Nature Reserve, which have been closed since Saturday.
Workers resume clean-up operations at Sentosa's Tanjong Beach on the morning of Jun 16, 2024, two days after an oil spill at Pasir Panjang Terminal. (Photo: CNA/Davina Tham)
In a joint statement, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), the National Environment Agency (NEA), the National Parks Board (NParks) and Sentosa Development Corporation said the dredger had reported a sudden loss in engine and steering control before it hit the bunker vessel on Friday.
This caused a rupture of the vessel's oil cargo tanks and its contents of low-sulphur fuel oil were released to the sea.
MPA patrol craft were deployed to spray dispersants on the spill. The authority's response contractor was also activated and they mobilised an oil skimmer to reduce the impact of the spill.
"Booms were also laid around the vessels thereafter as added precaution in case of further leaks from the vessel," said the authorities.
"Due to the tidal currents, parts of the oil spillage have landed along the southern shorelines including Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, Southern Islands, Marina South Pier, and East Coast Park."
MPA is working with British Marine, the insurer of the stationary tanker, to set up a contact for third-party claims by "affected parties who have been impacted".
Investigations by MPA are ongoing and the master of the vessel and its crew are assisting in investigations.
Oil recovery efforts at sea are progressing. Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), the largest international industry-funded cooperative providing oil spill response services, is supporting clean-up efforts.
Oil-covered rocks on Sentosa's Tanjong Beach on Jun 15, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)
Members of the public are advised to keep away from the affected beaches as clean-up operations are underway.
Close to 1,500m of containment booms have been deployed since Friday at various locations, including the three beaches at Sentosa, the entrance of Keppel Marina, off Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park.
Another 1,600m of booms will be laid over the next few days to prevent the further spread of oil onto the shore.
More than 250 personnel have been deployed, including over 50 workers from OSRL, 50 NParks officers, cleaners and other officers to support beach and shoreline clean-up efforts.
Some volunteers have been activated to monitor the situation at West Coast Park. While the authorities have not observed any impact of the oil spill at the park, they will alert the authorities should there be any signs.
Volunteers are also patrolling the beach areas at East Coast Park on Monday and like their counterparts at West Coast, they are helping with information sharing and reporting on affected wildlife and areas.
There have been more than 1,500 sign-ups by members of the public looking to help. NParks said it will activate volunteers if more assistance is needed.
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Dredger Vox Maxima hit stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal at about 2.20pm that day, resulting in some oil from a damaged cargo tank spilling into the water.
In response to CNA's queries, SDC said on Monday that it began monitoring the waters for potential spread of the oil spill near Sentosa's beaches after being alerted by MPA on Friday afternoon.
At approximately 9.20pm, SDC said it started to cordon off affected parts of Palawan Beach, while the clean-up started the following morning.
"On Jun 15, 2024, at about 7am, we observed the spread in waters due to the tidal current throughout our beaches, at Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong, as well as Sentosa Cove," it added.
"We immediately deployed staff to commence clean-up at our shores alongside MPA and relevant authorities."
When asked what was the situation when MPA first alerted SDC, the council pointed to the authority's first press release on Friday in relation to the incident.
"The affected cargo tank has been isolated and the spill contained," the release read.
"MPA, Port Authority of Singapore (PSA) and the bunker vessel company have activated oil spill response craft to the location. The oil spill clean-up operation is currently in progress."
Sentosa's beaches remain open to the public, but sea activities and swimming are still not allowed at Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso beaches.
Beaches on three Singapore islands - St John's, Lazarus and Kusu - are also closed until further notice, the authorities said on Sunday evening, after Friday's oil spill spread to several coastlines.
The closure of the beaches at the islands is in addition to areas B to H of East Coast Park, as well as the jetty and rocky shore of Labrador Nature Reserve, which have been closed since Saturday.
Workers resume clean-up operations at Sentosa's Tanjong Beach on the morning of Jun 16, 2024, two days after an oil spill at Pasir Panjang Terminal. (Photo: CNA/Davina Tham)
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SUDDEN LOSS IN ENGINE, STEERING CONTROL
In a joint statement, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), the National Environment Agency (NEA), the National Parks Board (NParks) and Sentosa Development Corporation said the dredger had reported a sudden loss in engine and steering control before it hit the bunker vessel on Friday.
This caused a rupture of the vessel's oil cargo tanks and its contents of low-sulphur fuel oil were released to the sea.
MPA patrol craft were deployed to spray dispersants on the spill. The authority's response contractor was also activated and they mobilised an oil skimmer to reduce the impact of the spill.
"Booms were also laid around the vessels thereafter as added precaution in case of further leaks from the vessel," said the authorities.
"Due to the tidal currents, parts of the oil spillage have landed along the southern shorelines including Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, Southern Islands, Marina South Pier, and East Coast Park."
MPA is working with British Marine, the insurer of the stationary tanker, to set up a contact for third-party claims by "affected parties who have been impacted".
Investigations by MPA are ongoing and the master of the vessel and its crew are assisting in investigations.
Oil recovery efforts at sea are progressing. Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), the largest international industry-funded cooperative providing oil spill response services, is supporting clean-up efforts.
Oil-covered rocks on Sentosa's Tanjong Beach on Jun 15, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)
KEEP AWAY FROM AFFECTED BEACHES
Members of the public are advised to keep away from the affected beaches as clean-up operations are underway.
Close to 1,500m of containment booms have been deployed since Friday at various locations, including the three beaches at Sentosa, the entrance of Keppel Marina, off Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park.
Another 1,600m of booms will be laid over the next few days to prevent the further spread of oil onto the shore.
More than 250 personnel have been deployed, including over 50 workers from OSRL, 50 NParks officers, cleaners and other officers to support beach and shoreline clean-up efforts.
Some volunteers have been activated to monitor the situation at West Coast Park. While the authorities have not observed any impact of the oil spill at the park, they will alert the authorities should there be any signs.
Volunteers are also patrolling the beach areas at East Coast Park on Monday and like their counterparts at West Coast, they are helping with information sharing and reporting on affected wildlife and areas.
There have been more than 1,500 sign-ups by members of the public looking to help. NParks said it will activate volunteers if more assistance is needed.
Continue reading...