Sunken ship's oil slick no cause for alarm - PCG

MANILA, Philippines - Apart from an oil slick from the sunken M/V Asia Malaysia, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is also monitoring the vessel’s movements to ensure that it would not drift toward a coral reef off Negros Occidental.

PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said they are monitoring the 2,400-ton M/V Asia Malaysia, operated by Trans Asia Shipping Lines, to make sure that it would not be a hazard to the marine environment.

Since Tuesday morning, the PCG has monitored an oil slick from the cargo-passenger ship, but Ricafrente said there is “no cause for alarm” as the PCG has been watching over the situation round the clock.

The PCG earlier had sent BRP Corregidor and BRP EDSA to the site.

Ricafrente also clarified that while the oil slick has expanded from 200 meters to one kilometer, it does not pose any danger to the marine environment.

“When the vessel drifted to shallow waters, we were able to send divers who confirmed the integrity of the fuel tank. So the oil slick did not come from the oil tank, and it might just be some waste that is only minimal,” he said. 

The PCG expects the oil slick to naturally disperse or be further stretched by the waves until it disappears.

As of now, the authorities do not see the situation worsening, but as a precaution they have deployed a team of the Marine Environment Protection Unit in the area with equipment such as absorbent pads and oil spill booms. 

Ricafrente said the sunken ship has drifted 4.8 nautical miles, getting closer to the coral reef. When it sank last July 31, it was four nautical miles away from Culasi, Iloilo, but was carried by waves and is now located one nautical mile north of Managla, Negros Occidental.

It is now also lying in shallow waters. From a previous depth of 14 fathoms, the sunken ship is now some 20 meters below water, making it visible during low tide. – With Jennifer Ponsaran-Rendon