Sulfuric acid spill in Batangas: first in RP, 4th in the world

BAUAN, Batangas — The Philippine Coast Guard revealed the other day that the June 24 ill-fated sinking of the barge Billy Star, which was carrying 1,270 tons of sulfuric acid, was the first acid spill in Philippine waters and only the fourth in the world.

Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan said in a press conference held at the municipal multi-purpose gym here on Friday that they are very cautious in doing the salvaging operations. The owner of the barge, Grand Asian Shipping Lines (GASL), has sought a foreign company which has the capability of handling highly technical and delicate salvaging operation.

"We have to take extra precaution since this is the very first case of its kind we’ve handled so far and we have limited knowledge in conducting the salvaging operation," Gosingan said.

Gosingan, however, assured the public that the PH level of the seawater is within normal levels.

"There’s no danger yet whatsoever that affects the Batangas Bay. Consequently, there’s no reason to rush things that might end up in endangering the environment, thus creating more trouble than solution," Gosingan explained.

Gosingan said that several international environmental groups have expressed concern about the chemical spill and informed the Coast Guard that they will be monitoring the progress of the cleanup drive.

William Hao, president of GASL, has entered into a contract with Harbor Star, while the P&I Insurance Company of London, the insurance company of the sunken barge, has employed the services of Singapore-based Titan Maritime Ltd. Co. for the provision of expert assistance on the salvaging operation.

The shipping lines likewise hired Hideya Waste Management, a waste collector company, will collect and dispose the sulfuric acid in the waters.

At the press conference, Dr. Victor Mejer, municipal health officer of Bauan, asked the Coast Guard and shipping line officials when they could contain the sulfuric acid.

Commodore Efren Sabas, commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, however, could not give a specific timetable.

Gordon Amos, an official of the Titan Maritime Ltd. Co., likewise could not give specifics and instead informed the public that their equipment will be arriving on Sunday.

"I don’t want to say that we will finish the (job) in 10 days or 15 days, but I can only assure you that we will finish it in the shortest and safest possible time," Amos explained.

Amos added that the first thing they will do is neutralize first the leaked acid before they could start operation. He said they will use submersible pumps and special plastic with stainless steel tube lines that would transfer the chemical from the sunken barge to another "bullet tank" before re-floating it.

"Before we could use our equipment, a series of test will be conducted to ensure that no other leakage will happen," Amos explained.