Coast Guard prepares to prevent oil spill

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – The Philippine Coast Guard has sent personnel and equipment to prevent an oil spill in the Lagunoy Gulf after a cargo vessel ran aground there last Nov. 15 due to inclement weather brought about by a low pressure area over Samar.

Capt. Nelson Torre, Coast Guard District-Bicol chief, said a Coast Guard vessel and special operations group were coordinating with the captain and crew of M/V Jeric Jay of the Eastern Island Shipping Corp. to prevent the cargo vessel from being carried by big waves.

The vessel ran aground about 300 meters from the Nato port in Sangay, Camarines Sur.

“We have to ensure that the cargo vessel does not turn on its side and brought further out to sea because we have a gale warning,” Torre told The STAR.

“We are also working with Capt. Raul Buenaventura and his crew of 10 to secure the cargo vessel,” he said.

Torre said the vessel was carrying 13,000 liters of diesel fuel, including 200 liters of lube oil and another 100 liters of used oil.