The LCT 788 of Seen Sam Shipping ran aground off Oslob, Cebu while on its way from Naga City to Toledo City in an accident that came just two days after the mv Belle Rose, a foreign vessel, ran aground off the Malapascua Island in Cebu. Fortunately, in this case, the captain managed to move the vessel after 30 minutes, unlike the Belle Rose. However, the officials from the Department of Agriculture have reported to the Oslob police stating that the LCT 788 might have damaged the underwater environment. Therefore, they have prevented the vessel from departing pending an investigation by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Coast Guard. This is interesting as earlier the Marina had conducted an underwater inspection, reporting that there was no damage to marine life, in addition to granting the LCT 788 a certificate of seaworthiness.
Spill
Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 is still waiting for the consolidated report of its team before announcing the results of its investigation and recommendations on a reported oil spill in the tourism area of Moalboal, Cebu. The EMB 7 has collected water samples from the shoreline as well as the Pescadores North, West, South and East stations, out of which Pescadores North, West and East failed to pass the sampling standard of 1mg/L.
“As per our laboratory analysis dated June 14-15, 2016, the said three sampling stations revealed two mg/L of oil and grease,” Cunado said.
However, it is reported that they cannot yet come to a conclusion and provide recommendations unless the consolidated report of the technical team is submitted to EMB 7. Meanwhile in Malapascua, drivers are still trying to figure out the best way to move the Belle Rose, which is carrying 48,000 metric tonnes of clinker, away from the reef.
Compensation
Lawyer Pedrito Faytaren Jr., who represents Salvor Marine Towage, has said that the local council will meet again on June 16 in Malapascua to approve the final salvage plan. The group hopes to take advantage of the highest tide between June 15 and 18. The council is open to a compromise settlement to avoid a long drawn out investigation. However, a marine protest will be pursued in the meantime.
The vessel’s owner is willing to pay the compensation for the damage, including any damage to the corals and diving and marine experts will be at the site when the ship is removed in order to assess the damage. The Panama-registered Belle Rose had cut through a bed of corals 10 meters underwater, when it was reportedly trying to avoid fishermen and ran aground.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Sunstar
